Family Stress and Adolescent Efficiency in the Tea Tribes Community: Examining the Moderating Role of Parental Income

This study explored the relationship between family stress and adolescent efficiency among youth belonging to the Tea Tribes community in Assam, and examined the moderating role of parental income. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 300 adolescents (aged 13–17 years) through stratified proportionate random sampling in Tea Garden Model High Schools of Sonitpur district. Family stress was assessed with the Family Climate Scale, efficiency with the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and parental income was self-reported. Pearson’s correlation and moderated regression analyses were conducted. Family stress showed no significant direct association with adolescent efficiency (r = –.01,  p = .90). However, parental income moderated this relationship. Adolescents from the lowest-income households experienced significant declines in efficiency with increasing stress (B = –0.511, p= .017). The regression model was significant (R²= .060, p= .032). The findings highlight that while family stress alone does not reduce efficiency, its negative impact intensifies under conditions of low parental income. Economic stability can buffer stress effects, underscoring the importance of resilience-building and poverty-reduction interventions for marginalized communities such as the Tea Tribes youth.