Indian Journal of Positive Psychology

Pages:401-404
Mohammad Ali Baghzari and Bagher Sanai (Department of Counseling, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran)

The aim of this study was to compare social self-esteem, basic needs and social identity of marriage and cohabitation men in Tehran, respectively. The population consisted of cohabitation married men, 54 people and 54 men, married people who were selected by convenience sampling. Choose marriage on the basis of similarities and commonalities (age, education & occupation) and cohabitation men were married. To collect data from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1979), Deci and Ryan Questionnaire Basic Needs (2000) and a questionnaire Saffarinia and Roshan Social Identity (2011) was used. Comparative data using independent t-test were analyzed. The results showed a significant relationship between the self-esteem of cohabitation men and married there. Between the subscales of autonomy, competence and relevance of basic needs in married cohabitation men and married there is no significant relationship. He average sub-scale collective identity and individual identity and married cohabitation men in marriage, there is no significant relationship.

Pages:410-413
Elahe Ghasemi and Ehsan Kahrizi (Consultant Education Isfahan, Province, Iran) Adel Ghari (Advisor to the General Directorate of Prisons and Education in Isfahan, Iran)

Psychologists believe many factors are involved in the development of maladaptive behaviors and delinquency people, including low self-esteem of these factors can be named. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group therapy on increasing self-esteem integrated monotheistic male prisoners in Isfahan. A total of 24 male prisoners at the central prison of Isfahan health clause based on self-concept test, low self-esteem had been diagnosed, were randomly divided into two groups of 12-member test And the control group were assigned. Then integrated monotheistic therapy in 12 sessions of 90 minutes for the experimental group and after therapeutic intervention to re-esteem of both groups took tests. The results showed that the mean score of self-esteem, then there is a significant difference test. Thus it can be concluded that the prisoners be integrated monotheistic therapy leads to increased self-esteem.

Pages:418-422
John Silvy and Marie Ann S. Vargas (The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, Philippines)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of the newly developed integrated positive psychological intervention program called 'Positive Cognitive Intervention (PCI)' in reducing psychological distress among the wives of alcoholics. Various stressful experiences and behavioral problems from the part of the alcoholic partners cause psychological distress to the wives. The eligible participants for the experimental study were 38 wives of alcoholics. They were randomly allocated into experimental and control groups. The instruments used in this study were i) 'Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21)' and ii semi-structured interview. Manova, paired t-test, and Cohen's d test were utilized for the statistical analysis. The results revealed that PCI program is significantly efficacious in reducing psychological distress (F [1, 36] = 5098.32, p< 0.0005); and in terms of depression (F (1, 36) =1705.91, p =0.000), anxiety (F (1, 36) =1269.85, p =0.000) and stress (F (1, 36) =812.81, p=0.000) among the wives of alcoholics. The t-test showed significant differences (p= 0.000) at 0.05 level in pre and post test results of the experimental group measured by DASS and Cohen's d test revealed the large effect size of the program. The findings of this study reveal that Integrated Positive Psychological Intervention program 'Positive Cognitive Intervention' is an effective program for reducing psychological distress of the wives of alcoholics. The study suggests future research to explore the PCI program in urban population.

Pages:423-428
Tina Fernandes, Geeta Sunkarapalli and Durgesh Nandinee (St Francis College for Women, Begumpet, Hyderabad ) Velury Pallavi (Organizational Psychologis, Santula EAP)

Employees' well-being in IT sector is a great challenge. Every organization attempts to meet the expectations of their employees, in order to create a conducive workplace atmosphere for its growth. Hence, developing conducive environment may produce a anodyne effect in their life. Aims: The first objective of the study was to find out if there is a difference between men and women on optimism, psychological contract, life effectiveness and work effort in IT employees and second objective was to explore the relationship between life effectiveness, workplace optimism and psychological contract among IT employees. The study involved a correlational design Optimism and Psychological Contract were predictors and Life Effectiveness and work effort were the criterion. One hundred and forty two were men and ninety were women belong to the age group of 20 years and 60were selected, of which 218 completed the Life Effectiveness Questionnaire (LEQ), Workplace Explanations Survey (WES), Psychological Contract Questionnaire, Work Effort Scale, and Work Effort Scale (WESC). These instruments were administered individually along with demographic details. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, Pearson's product‑moment correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses. The results revealed that the identified that dimension of optimism and dimension of psychological contract contribute 52% and 53% to IT employees life effectiveness and work effort respectively. Findings could be useful for understanding the role optimism and psychological contract and also helpful in designing positive psycho social intervention for promoting positive health. Implication and shortcomings are discussed.

Pages:433-438
S. Srividya (UGC Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore)

Organizations in the present day endure dynamic volatile environment in terms of socio-political-economic environment and a changing value system. Research evidences show that organization ownership is the fundamental structural characteristic that determines how organizations fine-tune their other structural characteristics such as hierarchies, division of labor and decision making in response to their environmental circumstances. Organizational structure in India can be classified in terms of ownership control as Government owned Public sector undertaking and Private owned firms and Entrepreneurial Ventures. Hence the present research work has tried to examine how psychological makeup of an employee in terms of commitment, perception of leadership effectiveness, organizational stress and personality dispositions differ in three above mentioned firms. The sample for the study (N=400) were workers in three production units namely textile mills Government Owned Textile mills, NTC Mills (n=129) and Private Owned Textile mills (n=135) and engineering production units (n=136) situated in Coimbatore industrial areas. A direct Discriminate function analysis was performed using the four psychological variables (with twenty six sub-constructs) as predictors of role of ownership control with three varied organizations. Two discriminate functions, labeled as “Excellence and Managerial” function, were arrived and the results and implications have been discussed.

Pages:442-445
Indu N.P. and A. Pushparajan (Department of Physical Education, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)

Jail warders are the most important assets for any correctional agency. Research on correctional officers has found that stress has a great influence on their general health. To evaluate the effect of yoga based relaxation technique on general health among Jail Warder. One hundred and fifteen Jail Warder were recruited for the study from six Jails at different cities in Kerala. We used a three arm randomized control between subject's design. Participants were counterbalanced randomly into two different experimental conditions (Mind Sound Resonance Technique & Deep Relaxation Technique) and control condition. Participants were given questionnaire packets including demographic details, General and Health Questionnaire. Further clinical parameters such as Blood Pressure, Pulse rate and Respiration rate were measured. Outcomes were examined at two points in time: baseline and at the end of the one month. Paired sample t-tests showed a significant enhancement in general health questionnaire after MSRT (p=0.01) and DRT (p=0.01), while the control group did not show any significant change. Further result showed a significant normalization in systolic (p=0.01) and diastolic (p=0.01) pressure after MSRT. While DRT group shown only normalization at systolic pressure (p=0.01), the control group did not show any significant change. Further result showed a significant normalization in pulse rate (p=0.05) and reduction in respiratory rate (p=0.01). No changes/differences were observed after DRT and control groups on pulse rate and respiratory rate. Result has shown significant enhancement of the general health following yoga based mind sound relaxation technique.

Pages:450-452
Faizi Agha and Shahina Maqbool (Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh) Sarah Javed (Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh)

The relation between gender and spirituality is of great interest hence our study aimed to examine the gender differences in college students through the lens of spirituality. 60 students (30 males & 30 females) were chosen from arts faculty with age range of (18 & older). They were requested to fill Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (Mac Donald 2009) which consist of 30 items with five dimensions i.e. cognitive, experiential, existential, paranormal, and religiousness. Independent sample t test was administered for obtaining mean difference between both the genders on spirituality. Significant difference was found on two domains of spirituality i.e. Cognitive and Experiential dimension. In cognitive domain males scores higher (M=18.30, SD=2.91) as compared to females (M=13.60, SD=4.23) with t value as 5.01 which was significant at 0.05 level. Other domain in which significant difference was found was Experiential domain, here females scored higher (M=17.40, SD=5.21) as compared to males (M=13.23, SD=4.43) with t value as 3.33 which was significant at 0.05 level. No significant difference was found in the remaining three dimensions i.e. Existential, Paranormal and Religious domains, having t value as 1.02, .861 and 1.55 respectively at 0.05 levels. This study contributes a great understanding of spirituality and the effects of gender on spirituality.

Pages:457-459
Pratibha Dabas and Abha Singh (AIPS, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh)

This paper looks at the need for introducing a new dimension to the counselor's role in Indian schools - that of providing Positive psychology interventions to school students. We are witnessing increasing instances of behavioral problems and low academic standards among students in semi urban schools in India. The school authorities feel the need for effective and positive intervention programs for these students. Parents and teachers both find themselves turning to the counselors, who are not only few in number but unable to handle all the referrals. The role of the counselor, thus needs to be redefined. Apart from broadening the scope of counseling, integrated interventions that the teachers can handle are required. The paper also identifies the growing need for counseling that is preventive rather than remedial. With the parents and teachers turning into a helpless lot and looking towards the counselors to help them with managing their children, the counselors need to reframe their role. Rather than being overwhelmed by the number of referrals, they must help in the upbringing of children with positive character traits. Going by the research findings in positive psychology, this should help in bringing down the number of referrals of behavioral issues. As findings of some of the studies on Positive Psychology also suggest a cultural impact on the outcome of positive interventions, this paper makes further research suggestions of combining Indian Psychology with the western Positive Psychology methods as options for effective positive interventions for school children.

Pages:466-468
Hardeep Kaur and Arashmeet Chawla (Department of Social Work, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)

Adjustment is a continuous process by which a person varies his behavior to produce a more harmonious relationship between himself and his environment. It helps to keep balance between one's need and capacity to meet the needs. Adjustment is a major concern at all life stages, especially during adolescence. Since it is a phase of rapid growth and development during which physical, sexual and emotional changes occur, adjustment problems are at their peak. Most adolescents experience adjustment difficulties in emotional, social and/or educational aspects of their lives. School adjustment can be viewed as comprising academic, social and emotional adjustment .It is a continuous process that is geared towards the adaptation of the individual to school life and culture. Overall adjustment plays a vital role in the development of child. The sample of 30 adolescents aged 14-18 years were taken up from the Senior Secondary School in this study. In each group, there were fifteen adolescent girls and fifteen adolescent boys. School Adjustment Inventory for school students developed by Sinha and Singh has been used in the study. The present study aims to examine the gender difference in social, educational and emotional adjustment among the school going adolescents. The findings of the present study indicate that there exist significant differences between the secondary school students when compared on the basis of gender.

Pages:472-479
Anita Sheerha and Mukta Singhvi (Department of Psychology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan )

The study aims to determine the effect of positive visualization on the subjective happiness and perceived body image. For this study 40 participants were randomly selected from the age group of 20-25years from the middle socio economic status in Delhi. A pre-post analysis was done using “Subjective Happiness Scale” and “Figure Rating Scale”. 20 participants were trained to visualize themselves to be in happy states and imagine their physical body to be the perfect shape and size, according to them. And the rest 20 were given no training at all. An in-depth analysis was done on 5 of the participants who received training in positive visualization.