Page No 95-103
Kezhasenuo Kesiezie and Lovika P. Shikhu
Nagaland University, Nagaland.
Mentalization ability is known to be positively correlated with the wellbeing of an Individual
and psychological security of a person is crucial in the process of child development.
Studies with Orphaned children in terms of their Mentalization are scarce and
understanding their Mentalization ability may be beneficial for their overall wellbeing.
The present study aims to assess Mentalization ability of Orphaned Adolescents and
its relationship with their Wellbeing and Behavioural-Emotional problems. The study
also aims to assess whether Mentalization will predict their Wellbeing and Behavioral
Emotional problems. The Multidimensional Mentalizing Questionnaire, The Stirling
Children’s Wellbeing Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
were used to assess 86 Orphaned Children and Adolescents (46 Males and 40 Females)
belonging to 11-15 years of age. The result showed that Mentalization was positively
correlated with Wellbeing [r (86)= .568, p=.000], whereas, a negative significant
correlation was found between Mentalization and Behavioural-Emotional problems,
[r(86)= -.309, p=.004]. A negatively significant correlation was also found between
Wellbeing and Behavioural-Emotional problems [r(86) = -.280, p= .009]. The results
further revealed that Wellbeing was significantly positively predicted by Mentalization
[F(1, 84) = 39.95, p= .000] and Behavioural-Emotional problems was significantly
negatively predicted by Mentalization [F(1, 84)= 8.86, p=.004]..