Status of Mental Toughness of the Citizens of Ahmedabad

A survey was conducted to find out the level of mental toughness of the people of Ahmedabad city in view of rising suicide rates and cases of depression. Mental toughness is frequently used to refer to any set of positive attributes that helps a person to cope with difficult situations. It is a psychological edge that allows a person to cope better than the competition with the demands that are placed on her/him. A sample size of 990, all above the age of 18 years and belonging to various walks of society, was drawn. Data was collected using a questionnaire containing 18 items related to mental toughness. The survey result showed that mental toughness of the citizens of Ahmedabad city falls in the range of average. However, those who are in the police show the higher side of average mental toughness level. Their mean score was 64.11. The cops who often have to take tough decisions in the call of duty to enforce law and order are closely followed by teachers with a mean score of 63.73 and sports persons with a mean score of 63.22. Doctors who often have to take dispassionate decisions while treating their patients are close on their heels with a mean score of 63.00. Lawyers (61.95), government employees (61.29), college students (61.16) and bank employees (61.13) are the next in mental toughness. The survey also covered home-makers. They were found on the lower side of average range of score with a mean score of 60.54. Notably, the score range of 70-90 shows high level of mental toughness, 58-69 average mental toughness and 18-57 low mental toughness.