Effect of Institutionalisation on the Mental Health of Orphaned Adolescents

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study and compare the mental health of
institutionalized and non-institutionalized orphan adolescents. To collect quantitative data
from 200 orphan adolescents, the English translated version of Mental Health Battery
developed by Singh and Gupta was used. Qualitative data was collected through interviews
of the teachers and caregivers. The quantitative data was analyzed by using Mean, SD and ttest; further, percentage analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The findings of the
study revealed a significant difference between mental health of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized orphan adolescents and institutionalization has developed a feeling of
alienation among the orphan children and thereby made them emotionally vulnerable. It was
also revealed through qualitative data that emotional aloofness hinders the orphans to
communicate their feelings, emotions and thoughts.