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Following globalization, there has been a rapid spread of Westernized cultural values, ideas, and practices. Cultures are in a state of flux and the indigenous communities are not free from the influences of the outside world. In this research, we investigated how the psychological tendencies of rural Adivasi people might be affected by such sociocultural changes in a predominantly collectivist nation. A community-based study was carried out with 150 Kharwar Adivasi individuals residing in 10 villages of Naugarh block, Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh. The participants, aged 25-50 years, were given the measures of Individualism-Collectivism Orientations and Happy Life. The results indicated that 59% of the sample had a collectivistic orientation. Individuals having a collectivistic orientation fared better on overall happiness as well as its sub-domains than individuals having an individualistic orientation. It is suggested that even though there is a gradual increase in individualism, for the Adivasi community, happiness is still enhanced by tendencies of interdependence. The findings have important implications for understanding the happiness of the under-researched Adivasi population.
Keywords: adivasi community, individualism-collectivism, happy life
Why do some people feel that they are happy or happier than others? This question has led to extensive research on causes or correlates of happiness. One crucial aspect investigated is the influence of cultural dimensions, specifically individualism and collectivism, on an individual's perception of happiness and the elements contributing to a happy life (Kitayama & Markus, 2000; Schimmack et al., 2005). Individualism highlights values such as independence, autonomy, and self-expression, while collectivism emphasizes interdependence, cooperation, and group harmony (Oyserman et al., 2002). Studies indicate thatincountries where individualistic values are prevalent, individualism is finked to higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness (Alluvia, 2002; Veenhoven, 2009). This association might be because individualistic cultures highly value personal freedom, self-expression, and individual achievements, all of which contribute to a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Conversely, collectivistic cultures place significant emphasis on social relationships and the overall well-being of the group, also contributing to happiness and life satisfaction.
Non-Western cultures tend to be collectivistic and social relationships are important determinants of happiness in these cultures (Kitayama & Markus, 2000). Collectivism was found to be important for the well-being of bruit Canadian First Peoples (Kral & Idlout, 2012). Based on interviews asking the...