Peer-reviewed article

Prevalence of Abuse, Perceived Stress, and Resilience Among Tribal Girls: A Comparison With Girls Attending Government Schools.

Sharma A, Jeenger D, Desai S, Acharya CH · 19 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background Tribal girls constitute a vulnerable population due to gender and socioeconomic disadvantage and limited access to education and health services. They are frequently exposed to adverse experiences that cause psychological distress and increase their risk of psychopathology. Aim To assess and compare the prevalence of abuse, perceived stress, and resilience among tribal and government school-going girls. Methodology A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 581 adolescents, including 298 tribal girls attending non-governmental organization (NGO) run tribal residential schools (TRS) and 283 adolescent girls attending urban government schools, between the age group of 12 and 17 years. Abuse, perceived stress, and resilience among participants were assessed using the Hindi-validated versions of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Child Abuse Screening Tool - Children's Version (ICAST-C), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R), respectively. Group differences were analyzed using the chi-square test and the independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation was used to examine associations between abuse, stress, and resilience. Results Tribal girls reported higher levels of emotional and sexual abuse and perceived stress (P < 0.001). Resilience scores were higher among tribal girls (P < 0.001), possibly reflecting stronger coping mechanisms and bonding among peers within the structured environment of residential schools. Higher levels of abuse were linked to higher levels of stress in both groups (P < 0.001). For tribal girls, abuse and stress were negatively correlated with resilience (P < 0.001). Conclusions Emotional and sexual abuse, perceived stress levels, and resilience are significantly greater among tribal adolescent girls. These vulnerable adolescents need early intervention to reduce the psychological effects of adverse childhood experiences.