International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Resilience among Minority Students at Secondary vs. Higher Secondary Level in Selected Districts of West Bengal

Present study sought to understand and compare the resilience of minority students in classes 9-10 (secondary) and 11-12 (higher secondary) in some selected districts of West Bengal. It looked at three key areas of strength as a student's Personal Skills, their Relationship with Caregivers, and their Sense of Belonging. Using a quantitative descriptive survey method, data was gathered from 616 students with the help of CYRM-28 questionnaire. The main findings show an important shift in resilience. Students in higher secondary showed stronger Personal Skills but felt a weaker Sense of Belonging compared to secondary students. Their family relationships, however, remained a steady source of support. Girls were found to draw significantly more strength from their relationships and sense of community than boys. Most critically, the presence of domestic violence at home was identified as a major risk, significantly weakening a student's resilience in all three areas.