Profiling the mental health fortitude of institutionalised children: A quantitative analysis of psychological resources

Abstract

Numerous studies on institutionalised children demonstrate the undesirable influence of care centres on the levels of positive mental health. Against the established body of literature, this study evaluates the positive psychological qualities of children living in care centres and sex differences in these attributes. The study sample comprised 420 Ethiopian care centre children who were aged between 13 and 18 years. The children were assessed using standardised tests for psychological capital (PsyCap), emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and psychological well-being (PWB). The results indicated that the care centre children had moderate to high levels of PsyCap, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and PWB. The independent sample t-test analysis results showed that female children had higher emotional intelligence and self-esteem compared to their male peers. These findings indicate that care centre children had positive psychological assets for healthy development with appropriate support. Implications of the study are discussed.