EFFECTS OF A SPIRITUAL COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE ON ADJUSTMENT AMONG TRIBAL COLLEGE GIRLS: EVIDENCE FROM A SINGLE-GROUP PRE–POST STUDY IN DUNGARPUR, RAJASTHAN

Education

Tribal adolescent girls in Rajasthan often experience emotional, social, and academic challenges due to cultural isolation, socio-economic constraints, and limited access to psychological support services. These challenges frequently manifest as difficulties in adjustment across personal, social, and educational domains. The present study examined the effectiveness of a Spiritual Cognitive Development Package (SCDP) designed to improve adjustment among tribal college girls in Dungarpur district. A total of 100 tribal adolescent girls aged 17–22 years were selected using screening through the IPAT Depression Scale, with only mild to moderate cases included. A single-group pre–post experimental design was employed. Adjustment levels were measured using a standardized Pre–Post Adjustment Scale developed for the study, covering emotional, social, and academic adjustment dimensions. Descriptive statistics, paired sample correlations, and paired sample t-tests were used for data analysis. Results indicated a significant improvement in adjustment scores following the intervention. The mean adjustment score increased from 3.07 in the pre-test to 3.88 in the post-test, and the paired t-test yielded a statistically significant result (t = -15.995, p < .001), confirming the effectiveness of the intervention. These findings suggest that spiritual-cognitive practices—such as guided reflection, mindfulness, value-based discussion, and affirmation exercises—effectively strengthen emotional regulation, coping strategies, and self-belief among tribal girls. The study highlights the relevance of culturally sensitive, community-grounded psychological programs in fostering mental well-being and school adjustment among marginalized adolescent populations.

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