Role of Individualistic and Collectivistic Orientations in the Happy Life of Kharwar Adivasi Community

Abstract

Following globalization, westernized cultural values, ideas, and practices have rapidly spread. Cultures are in flux, and indigenous communities are not free from the influence of the outside world. In this research, we investigated how the psychological tendencies of indigenous communities might be affected by such socio-cultural changes in a predominantly collectivist nation. A community-based study was conducted 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. Using an exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor structure emerged, explaining 57% of the variance in happy life. The results indicated that 59% of the sample had a collectivistic orientation. Individuals with a collectivistic orientation fared better in overall happiness and its sub-domains than individuals with 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. © (2025), (School of Management Sciences). All rights reserved.