Social Sciences

Professor Rachna Mishra completed her PhD at Delhi University and an MPhil in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, Delhi. She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Psychology from Delhi University and is a Gold Medallist from Delhi University. Professor Mishra is interested in the application of the theory of resilience from a socio-ecological standpoint in exploring protective resources and designing interventions, particularly for adolescents and young adults involved with the child protection system. Professor Mishra's work challenges prevailing notions among Indian child welfare decision-makers regarding the institutional model of care, emphasising the clear developmental benefits it offers residents.

Professor Mishra's doctoral work utilised a multi-method qualitative approach to explore localised conceptualisation and dynamics of resilience among youth residing in childcare institutions. It questioned a primary mandate among child welfare decision-makers in India against the institutional model of care by concluding clear developmental benefits for resident children and adolescents in these set-ups. Her thesis offers practice and policy implications regarding alternate care for at-risk children. Subsequently, recognising the critical role of supporting youth in their successful community reintegration, Professor Mishra has developed a mentorship intervention based on primary data gathered through a comprehensive needs analysis.

• Mishra, R. (in press). Vulnerability and Resilience in Child Care Institutions: Liminality and Social Ecology. In Mathew, R (Ed.), The Liminal Beings: Vulnerability and Resilience. Vernon Press.
• Mishra, R.,& Dutta, S. (2024). Designing a Mentorship Curriculum for Assisting Social Reintegration among Youth in Institutional Care in India. Children & Youth Services Review, 164, 107870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107870
• Mishra, R. (2023). Best Practices for Promoting Resilience among Children Residing in Institutional Care. Institutionalized Children Explorations and Beyond 11(1), 95-102. https://doi.org/10.1177/23493003231207141
• Mishra, R., and Sondhi, V. (2022). Conceptualizing Resilience among Adolescents Who are Orphaned and Living in Institutional Care in India. Residential Treatment forChildren & Youth, 40(1), 44-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/0886571X.2022.2097153
• Mishra, R., and Sondhi, V. (2021). Theorizing Pathways to Resilience among Orphaned Adolescents in Institutional Care in India. Children and Youth Services Review, 124, 105972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.105972
• Mishra, R., and Sondhi, V. (2019). Fostering Resilience among Orphaned Adolescents through Institutional Care in India. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 36(4), 314-337. https://doi.org/10.1080/0886571X.2018.1535286
• Mishra, R., and Sondhi, V. (2018). Eliminating Child-care Residential Institutions from the National Scenario: Is It Warranted? International Journal for Social Development, 5(4), 14-33. 
• Mishra, R. (2016). Resilience Among Children Exposed to Sexual Abuse. In Behere, P.B., Saha, G. Sinha, A. (eds.), Child Sexual Abuse: Indian Scenario (pp.78-87). Indian Psychiatric Society.
• Mishra, R., Kar, S., Goyal, P., Gupta, S., Kumar, D., and Sinha, U. (2016). Gender Identity Disorder in an Adolescent Boy: An Attribution of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Journal of Indian Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 12(4), 336-344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973134220160405

• Mishra, R. (2024, April 10). The Rising Trend of Mental Health as an Alibi for Dishonesty in Academia. The Gray Matter News.
• Mishra, R. (2023, October 25). Child Care Institutions in India: A Critical Wake-Up Call for Reform amidst Crisis. The Probe.
• Mishra, R & Chaturvedi, R. (2023, September 28). Mental Health Awareness to Accessibility: Confronting the Crisis of Mental Health Care in India. The Probe.

Personality Psychology, Psychology of Adversity, Research Methods in Psychology