Experiences of Caste Stigmatization: Health and Well-being

The Government of India has always worked for the upliftment and inclusion of the historically caste-marginalized sections of Indian society. Sadly, it has only partially succeeded in that. The present study attempts to examine the influence of age, education, and family income, along with the psychosocial experiences on the overall health and well-being of historically caste-marginalized groups. It also endeavored to assess the gender differences along these experiences in addition to examining the predictors of health and well-being. Quantitative data were collected from 406 respondents employing a correlational research design. Overall, the respondents reported less perceived economic condition, stigmatization, dehumanization, attribution, passive coping; and high positive personal and social identity, active coping, health, and well-being. Health and well-being were found to be significantly influenced by context and the psychosocial experiences of perceived economic condition, stigmatization, dehumanization, identity, attribution, and coping. Females were found to be high on perceived ritualistic inclusion, dehumanization, and diminished self-esteem. The results serve as valuable insights for the Government of India to work on the educational and economic upliftment of the historically caste-marginalized sections of Indian society. The study calls for important interventions to better the state of Dalit women in society.