RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL PAIN AND IQ OF THE RAG PICKERS: A CORRELATION STUDY

Abstract

Background: Rag picking is still widespread in Third World countries today, such as in Mumbai, India, where it offers the poorest in society around the rubbish and recycling areas a chance to earn a hand-to-mouth supply of money. In India alone, there are approximately 4 million women in this profession. However, this huge number in no way implies that it is a comfortable profession in any way. Rag pickers come across difficult situations of discrimination, stigmatization, lack of sleep, lack of nutrition and a feeling of shame, embarrassment and guilty as they are exposed to the harsh realities of life. Objective To establish relationship between IQ and Mental pain among the rag pickers.  Method: A total of 15 rag pickers from age group of 14-25 years of Wardha district were randomly selected. They were assessed for their IQ and mental pain with the help of CFIT and OMMP scale respectively and correlation of mental pain and IQ was explored. Results:  It is evidenced that there is a moderate & strong positive correlation between IQ and Mental Pain, suggesting that higher IQ scores are associated with higher levels of mental pain. (r= 0.8. p < 0.01). Conclusion: OMMP and CFIT were found useful in determining the level of mental pain and IQ of the rag pickers. The findings of this study prompt that rag pickers do have IQ levels for vocational training. Vocational training intervention may aid the ragpickers in reducing their mental pain. Further studies are required in this direction.