Indian Journal of Positive Psychology

Pages:217-223
Edward Hoffman (Yeshiva University, New York, USA ) Neeta Relwani-Garg (Independent Psychologist, New Delhi, India ) Susan Kaneshiro (Argosy University, Orange, CA, USA) Sonia Kapur (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA)

Though much attention has been accorded to midlife angst and turmoil, meager published research has been conducted on peak-experiences during this major lifespan period. In this study, 122 individuals born in India ages 40-65 responded to a questionnaire asking them to describe a recent joyful experience and its subsequent impact on their outlook on life. They were also asked to rate it numerically on a 5-point Likert scale. Their qualitative reports were subsequently coded into 13 categories. Peaks involving interpersonal joy were reported significantly most frequently, more than all other categories combined. These were followed in frequency by those comprising respectively external achievement and personal growth. Small percentages involved skill mastery, nature, aesthetics, religious peaks in either institutional or non-institutional settings, recovery from illness/accident, philosophical musing, developmental landmark, homecoming, and serenity. The implications for better understanding and optimizing midlife functioning in India are discussed, and future research avenues are highlighted.

Pages:229-231
Sarita Saini (Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, P.A.U., Ludhiana, Punjab) Sushma Jaswal (Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, P.A.U., Ludhiana, Punjab)

A study was undertaken to assess gender differentials in the 'Being Component' of Quality of Life of aged (65 years & above) living in various support systems. 'Being Component' refers to the qualities that describe who people are as individuals and is known to impact the Quality of Life (QOL) of an individual. The study comprised a sample of 400 subjects (males=200 & females=200) from Ludhiana city, equally drawn from four support systems viz. elderly living with sons, living with daughters, living alone, and living in institutions. The 'Being Component' and its three dimensions (Physical Being, Psychological Being and Spiritual Being) were investigated using the Quality of Life Profile, senior's version (2000) developed by Quality of Life Research Unit, University of Toronto, Canada. It was found that very few elderly females compared to males were enjoying 'Very Good Quality of Life' with respect to the 'Being Component'. It was true across all dimensions of 'Being Component' and varying support systems. Compared to their male counterparts the 'Physical Being' and 'Psychological Being' dimensions were significantly weak for females living across all support systems except for those 'living with sons'. Also, 'Spiritual Being' dimension was weak for females 'living alone or in institutions'.

Pages:238-241
Sheeba Ali (Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, UP)

Anxiety sensitivity which refers to a fear of anxiety sensations can be better understood if it is studied in relation to other relevant factors. The present research is concerned with studying anxiety sensitivity in the context of feelings of competence experienced by individuals. The sample comprised of 140 subjects, 70 males and 70 females. Anxiety was measured through The Reiss-Epstein-Gursky Anxiety Sensitivity Index scale(ASI) developed by Peterson and Reiss (1991), and competence through scale constructed by author (Khan, 2003).On the basis of score obtained, on anxiety sensitivity, three groups were formed, high anxiety sensitivity, moderate anxiety sensitivity, low anxiety sensitivity. Inter group comparisons revealed that subjects having high anxiety sensitivity are high on competence, when compared to low anxiety sensitivity subjects. Some differences in the two gender groups were also found.

Pages:245-249
Sibnath Deb and Anjali Garesion (Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India) Banhishikha Bhattacharyya (Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata, India) Sun Jiandong (Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)

The objective of the present study was to understand the teachers' perception about students' academic stress and other welfare related issues. A group of 125 secondary and higher secondary school teachers (43 male and 82 female) from five schools located in Kolkata were covered in the study following convenience sampling technique. Data were collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire developed by the first author. Findings revealed that more than half of the teachers (55.8% male and 54.9% female) felt that today's students are not brought up in child friendly environment while an overwhelming number of teachers stated that students face some social problems (88.4% male and 96.3% female) which affects their mental health and causes stress (90.7% male and 92.7% female). However, majority of them (79.1% male and 78% female teachers), irrespective of gender, denied the fact that teaching method followed in schools could cause academic stress. Vast majority of the teachers felt that New Education System in India i.e., making Grade X examination (popularly known as secondary examination) optional will not be beneficial for students. So far as motivation of the students is concerned, introducing innovative teaching methods like project work, field visit, using audio-visual aids in the schools has been suggested by more than 95% of the teachers. This apart, most of the teachers suggested reward system in the schools in addition to taking classes seriously by the teachers and punctuality. Reduction of load of home work was also suggested by more than two-fifth teachers. Although corporal punishment has gone down, it is still practiced by some of the teachers' especially male teachers in Kolkata. Male and female teachers differed significantly with respect to two issues only (p < .05) i.e., applying corporal punishment and impact of sexual health education. Male teachers apply more corporal punishment compared to female teachers and secondly, male teachers do not foresee any negative influence of sexual health education.

Pages:255-262
V. Veera Balaji Kumar and S. Subramanian (Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University)

The present paper analyses the impact of value priorities of individuals on their subjective wellbeing [SWB], psychological wellbeing [PWB] and perceived stress. The study was conducted over a sample of 100 students (85 male and 85 female) drawn from an arts college. It was found out that there is a significant negative correlation between self enhancement value domain and almost all dimensions of PWB [personal growth (r = - 0.276), positive relations (r = - 0.295), purpose in life ( r = - 0.231)] and total PWB ( r = -0.283). Significant negative correlations were found between security value and negative affect (r= -0.116); global wellbeing and age (r = -0.273). Significant positive correlations were found between Life satisfaction {cognitive wellbeing} and Income (r= + 0.144). On the other hand, significant positive correlations were found between self-transcendence values and psychological well being domains viz. personal growth (r = +0.182), positive relations (r = +0.261) and purpose in life (r = +0.207). Weak but positive correlation (r= +0.065) was obtained between self-enhancement value dimension and subjective wellbeing, which imply that individuals who espouse self-enhancement values power and achievement - enjoy higher SWB or hedonic wellbeing. Surprisingly significant negative correlation (r = -0.193) was found between achievement value a self-enhancement value - and perceived stress. Results indicate that self-enhancement values like power; security and hedonism while providing subjective (or hedonic) wellbeing may cause deficient psychological wellbeing (eudaimonic wellbeing). Whereas espousing self-transcendence values like universalism provides greater eudaimonic wellbeing and resilience against stress.

Pages:267-268
Masood ul Hassan, Fatima Shahnawaz, Md. Ali Imam and Md. Jasimuddin khan (Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh)

The study was intended to examine the effects of yogic and physical exercise on job satisfaction and job burnout. 145 subjects in four groups, viz., light exercise group, heavy exercise group, yoga performers group and control group were administered measures of job satisfaction and job burnout. All the subjects are male in the age range of 22 to 58 years. Data were analyzed by simple ANOVA suitable for multigroup design. Results revealed that the control group had significantly higher job burnout and poor job satisfaction than the exercise and yoga performing group.

Pages:273-275
Abha Singh and Ritu Modi (Department of Psychology, P.P.N. College, Kanpur)

In this physical world every person wants happiness and peace of mind. Meditation is one of the powerful technique for achieving mental peace and happiness. Today people are suffering from stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia etc. There may be many reasons for such problems but very few solutions. We need to regulate our life in a systematic way. In Indian culture meditation has been very important medium to get mental peace and stability in life. Peace is simply an experience; whereas peace of mind is a way of good life. Peace is easily attainable through the regular practice of meditation. The present paper explores about meditation and its types, relationship of meditation and mental health, benefits of meditation and implication of mediation for achieving positive mental health.

Pages:281-284
Uma Rani (Department of Psychology, SPW Degree & PG College (TTD), Tirupati, A.P.)

The recent literature on care givers burden in mental retardation is reviewed. Families bear the major responsibility for such care. Care giver face mental ill health as a direct consequence of their caring role and experience higher rates of mental ill health than the general population. The production of burden in care giver is a complex process and is related to gender, age, health status, ethnic and cultural affiliation, lack of social support, coping style, in addition to the stressors of the disorder itself. Care giver appears to suffer from at least moderate levels of psychological symptomatology. The behavioral problems associated with mental disorders further increase the stress levels of care giver. The findings from the review afford a comprehensive understanding of the care-giving situation with its outcomes, and its practical application in devising effective support strategies for family care giver.

Pages:289-291
Rajesh B. Patel (Psychologist, District Tobacco Control Cell Sabarkantha, Gujrat)

The aims of the current exploratory study were to bring together a number of variables related to resilience and smoking status and study them in the one investigation. The study sought to identify factors contributing to smoking resilience among young people at risk, i.e. those who despite the odds do not smoke.Present research the sample consisted of 100 male and 100 completed questionnaires were returned (100% response rate). In present research participants received a nine page self-report questionnaire consisting of 101 questions divided into sections on sense of humor, style of coping, social support (family, peers, and community), sense of coherence, and depression, anxiety and stress. And analysis comparing depression, anxiety and stress scores in relation to how often a person smoked was conducted with one-way analysis of variance. The current study found an association between family support and smoking status. Very strong positive correlations were found between weekly smoking and the items 'how often did your family really try to listen when you talked about your problems or worries?' and 'how often could you use them as examples of how to deal with problems or worries?' This indicated that students who smoked weekly perceived their family as trying to listen to them more, and more frequently regarded them as examples of how to deal with problems.

Pages:296-298
Masood-ul Hassan, Heena Parveen, Mohammad Anas, Mubashir Gull and Zahoor A Lone (Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP)

The present study was to find out the relationship among personality factors and life satisfaction among government college lecturers. The sample consists of 105 lecturers (55 female and 50 male) (age ranges from 26-58 years). The NEO personality inventory and Life Satisfaction Scale were administered to collect data. The data were analyzed by using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that (i) All the five dimensions of personality i.e. Neuroticism, Extraversion, openness, Agreeableness and conscientiousness have negative significant correlation with the life satisfaction of government college lecturers. (ii) stepwise regression analysis revealed three predictors of life satisfaction i.e. Agreeableness, Openness and Neuroticism..