Assessment of victimization, social skills, and identity confusion among adolescents in orphanages

Background The absence of stable attachments and safe environments increases the risk of identity confusion in adolescents. Orphaned adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to a lack of parental care, early abuse experiences, and limited social support. Understanding the links between victimization, social skills, and identity confusion is essential for developing interventions that enhance resilience and healthy psychosocial development. Aim The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between victimization, social skills, and identity confusion among adolescents in orphanages. Research design A descriptive correlational research design was used. Sample A purposive sample consisting of 191 adolescent orphans who met the inclusion criteria was included or participated in the study. Setting This study was conducted in three orphanage settings at Cairo Governorate; Dar El-Hana Orphanage in Misr El-Kadima, Central Cairo for male orphans, Awlady Orphanages in El-Maadi, South Cairo for male and female orphans, and El Mebara Orphanage in Misr El-Kadima, Central Cairo for female orphans. Tools Three tools were used for data collection: Personal and medical data sheet, abuse experience scale, social skills scale, and identity confusion scale. Results More than one-third (36.6%) of studied orphans had a moderate level of psychological abuse, while 11.8% had a high level. However, 18.3 and 15.2% suffer a moderate level of neglect and sexual abuse, respectively, while 3.1% reports high levels of sexual abuse; 89.0% of the studied orphans had moderate levels of social skills. Moreover, three-quarters of the studied orphans (74.9%) had moderate levels of identity confusion, while 13.6% of them had high levels of identity confusion. Moreover, there was a highly statistically significant correlation between social skills and abuse experience at P equal to 0.00. There was a highly significant correlation between identity confusion and abuse experience at P equal to 0.00. Also, there was a highly significant correlation between social skills and identity confusion at P equal to 0.00. Conclusion There was a highly statistically significant correlation between abuse experience, social skills, and identity confusion among orphans in orphanages. Recommendations Implement a psycho-educational program for orphanage caregivers, enhancing interdisciplinary intervention, fostering resilience, and healthy psychosocial development within orphanage environments.