Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Page: 01-04 Sijo Joseph and Rosalito De Guzman (The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines) The most complex health-relevant personality trait, neuroticism involves a pattern of anxiety, worrying, moodiness, and propensity to experience negative affective states. It is also linked to increased exposure to stressful life events and increased susceptibility to the negative effects of stress. Adolescents especially who have neurotic personality traits were the victims of higher psychological distress due to confinement, social exclusion and reduced peer support during COVID-19. This has triggered a wide range of psychological distress among adolescents. This study aims to explore the correlation and prediction of neurotic personality and psychological distress among adolescents aged 15-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional predictive research method was used to collect data from adolescents in Kerala, India. BFI (Big Five Inventory), DASS-21 (Psychological Distress Scale), and PSS 10C (Perceived Stress Scale related to COVID) were used as measurement tools. The researcher recruited a sample of 300 adolescents from different schools in Kerala and assessed through these measurement tools. High Neuroticism was found in 24.17 % of the study sample of adolescents in Kerala, India. Psychological distress was found in 86 % of the adolescents in Kerala. These findings showed that neuroticism has a significant correlation with psychological distress during this pandemic among the adolescents and Neuroticism predicts 50 % of Psychological Distress and 73.4 % COVID19 Stress in the Kerala adolescents during COVID 19 pandemic. Conclusion: this study reveals that Neuroticism Personality trait significantly influences adolescent's mental health and due to their negative affectivity and emotional instability they are more prone to Psychological Distress and worse to Stressors.

Page: 12-19 Rohit Kundu, O.P. Sheoran, and Pavitra Kumari (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculural University, Hisar, Haryana) The prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) is consistently higher in males as compared to females in India. To better understand this gender gap, data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) from 2005-2006 (NFHS-3) and 2015-2016 (NFHS-4) was analyzed. The results show a decrease in the gender gap over a ten-year period, although the overall prevalence of TB remained unchanged. The gender gap was found to be significant in rural areas, with the decrease being primarily driven by Hindus, those in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste, other castes, and the poorest wealth quintile in these areas. There was an increase in the gender gap in urban areas, but it was not found to be statistically significant.

Page: 24-28 Debangana Bhattacharya and Rita Karmakar (Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences, Amity University Kolkata, West Bengal) Stereotyping, gender discrimination, and oppression are still exists in this society. Lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transgender people are a stigmatized group that goes through several trouble while growing up in a heterosexual society mainly regarding the identification of their real identity. In this context, this study investigated the self-perception (Self-esteem & Self-concept) and Social identity among Mainstream heterosexual male and female (N=70) and LGBT (N= 40) adults. This study aims to analyze the Self-esteem, Self-concept and Social identity among heterosexual and LGBT adults. Self-esteem, self-concept and social identity were measured by using three different scales. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, The Personal Self-concept Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Multi Group Ethnic Identity Measures (MEIM) were administered to serve the purpose of the study. The result reveals a significant mean difference among mainstream heterosexual and LGBT adults in self-esteem, self-fulfillment, autonomy and honesty. Self-esteem is found to be low in LGBT adults in comparison to heterosexual adults. In relation to self-perception, identity affirmation also differs significantly among mainstream and LGBT adults and is also found to be low in LGBT adults. These factors may have an influence on the identification of their sexual-identity and also influence their attitude toward homosexuality. Specially in this changing time there is not much that we know about the LGBT individuals, there is a need of more research done on this community. No matter what the sexual identity of the individual it needs to be respected and accepted for more inclusive society.

Page: 33-38 Vandana Gupta (Department of Psychology, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Lanka, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) Social loneliness is a feeling of lacking companionship, friends, and a social circle. It harms the mental and emotional well-being of individuals. The social relationship allows sharing of thoughts, emotions, and feelings, which helps ventilate the mind and brain. Social and physical restrictions imposed during COVID-19 caused problems of less physical and social connectedness. Studies indicated that many physical, emotional, and psychological problems are observed across the age group of people. Adults and the old age group of people have reported loneliness, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Students' communities are the sufferer of lockdown too. Their academic and careers had been affected badly. This situation created uncertainty and fear for them. The study aimed to examine the role of COVID-19 anxiety and social isolation in anxiety and depression among students. A sample of 224 students was selected through purposive and snowball sampling. A google form was created for data collection, which was shared with a social group of students. Results of mediation analyses suggested that social loneliness mediated the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and depression and anxiety. Findings advocated the implementation of short- and long-term programs for the students who suffered during COVID-19 pandemic.

Page: 44-47 Krutika Wagh and Arvind Kakulte (Department of Psychology, Sir Parshurambhau College, Pune, Maharashtra) The following study was conducted to assess the difference between the levels of stress, anxiety and depression in siblings coming from a two-child family. The sample consisted of 100 first-born and 100 second-born young adults whose age ranged from 18 to 30 years. The short form of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to collect the data. It was hypothesized that first-borns would score higher on the three dimensions as compared to the second-born individuals. The results did not support the hypotheses. The mean score of stress was found to be 16.98 for first-borns and 16.14 for second-borns. The mean score for depression was 12.70 in first-borns and 14.92 in second-borns. Lastly, the mean score for anxiety was found to be 13.54 in first-borns and 14.52 in second-borns. Hence, anxiety and depression were greater in second-borns than first-borns while stress was close to equal, leaning slightly more towards the first-borns. None of the differences were found to be significant.