Understanding the coping styles and resilience among on/off street-connected children in urban Uttar Pradesh: A cross-sectional study

Street connected children in India are exposed to chronic adversity, yet some demonstrate notable psychological resilience. Understanding the coping mechanisms, they employ may provide key insights into protective processes in high risk environments. To examine the relationship between coping styles and resilience, among street connected children aged 7–13 years in three urban cities of Uttar Pradesh (Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi). A cross sectional observational study was conducted with 120 participants (70 males, 50 females). The Brief COPE Inventory and CD RISC 10 were administered in Hindi using back translation procedures. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation, and multiple regression analysis were employed to examine the relationship between coping styles (problem focused, emotion focused, and avoidant) and resilience scores. Problem focused coping showed a weak positive correlation with resilience scores (ρ =0.04), while avoidant coping was negatively associated (ρ = –0.04). Emotion focused coping had a slight negative association with resilience (ρ = –0.07). None of the associations reached statistical significance, though the directionality aligns with prior theoretical expectations. Regression analysis did not identify significant predictors, though problem focused coping exhibited a positive trend. The findings highlight coping style patterns that may influence resilience among street involved children. Promoting adaptive strategies—particularly those grounded in problem solving—may support psychosocial well being.