Published Paper Details:

This research examines the social maturity of adolescents belonging to high and low socio-economic status (SES) groups. Adolescence is a transitional stage characterized by significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, and social maturity--reflecting self-direction, responsibility, cooperation, tolerance, and adaptability--plays a crucial role in shaping personality and future societal contributions. Since socio-economic conditions determine access to resources, opportunities, and experiences, this study investigates how SES influences adolescents' social maturity. The research involved 600 adolescents from 12 secondary schools in Udaipur district, selected through lottery and purposive sampling. The participants were equally divided into high-SES (parents' annual income above INR50,000) and low-SES (income below INR20,000) groups. Data were collected using the Nalini Rao Social Maturity Scale, covering dimensions such as work orientation, self-direction, stress tolerance, communication, enlightened trust, cooperation, social commitment, social tolerance, and acceptance of change. Income certificates were used to classify SES. Statistical analyses included mean, standard deviation, t-test, and Z-scores. Findings indicated that high-SES students scored average in most dimensions, showed above-average performance in communication and cooperation, but recorded the lowest level in social tolerance. In contrast, low-SES students performed average in several domains, scored above average in cooperation and social commitment, and displayed high levels of social tolerance, though their stress tolerance was at the lowest level. Comparative analysis revealed no significant differences in work orientation, self-direction, cooperation, social commitment, and acceptance of change, suggesting parity across SES groups. However, significant differences emerged in stress tolerance, communication, enlightened trust, and social tolerance, with high-SES students excelling in communication, while low-SES students demonstrated stronger tolerance and trust. The study concludes that socio-economic status does affect certain dimensions of social maturity but not all. While both groups exhibit similar levels of responsibility and commitment, differences emerge in emotional resilience and interpersonal trust. Educationally, the findings highlight the need for targeted interventions--enhancing stress management skills among low-SES students while fostering tolerance and trust among high-SES students. The study emphasizes that balanced social maturity is essential for adolescent adjustment and long-term social contribution, making it crucial for educators, parents, and policymakers to design programs that address socio-economic disparities in adolescent development.