Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Pages: 1239-1241
Sweety (Department of Commerce, FC College, Hisar)

Stress is natural part of being human. It's your body responding to changes in the world around you. It changes how your body works and puts your mind into different moods. When you're getting stressed about an exam - it just means that you really care about the result you will get. That can be a good thing if it pushes you into working extra hard as you try to get a good result. But it can be bad if you get too worried and the effects of the stress stop you doing well. When exams get too much, the stress can show in your body. If you are a student, there is no need for me to explain what exam stress is. Sleepless nights, troubled thoughts, loss of appetite, rapid pulse, trembling hands these are typical manifestations of exam fear. Social polls demonstrate that students perceive the exams as a “duel of questions and answers”, as a “severe torture” as “intellectual and emotional overload” body. The present paper review problems and solutions related with exam stress among teenagers.

Pages: 1245-1248
Satinder Malik (G. P. Uttawar, Palwal, Haryana)

This paper discusses the sequential phases in the development of public libraries in India and the role of public library in national development. It recommends that government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should invent more in public libraries in view of their a important roles in national development and ensure that the libraries are managed by professional librarians.

Pages: 1255-1259
Juma Abdu Wamaungo and Mustofa Kamil (Department of Nonformal Education, School of Postgraduate, Indonesia University of Indonesia, Indonesia)

This study comes at a time; microfinance industry is experiencing changes which have led to a shift from financial services to nonfinancial services. The study was conducted in MiSykat- a community empowerment wing of Daarut Tauhiid in Bandung city. The study aimed to examine the education and microfinance activities in the enhancement of entrepreneurship knowledge and business skills of the poor clients. The interview and literature study strategies were applied to collect the data. Data analysis resulted into several major themes which include: holistic problem-solving skills for the poor, self-sustaining business skills, religious value education for poverty alleviation, education with credit for a productive economy, community credit knowledge etc. The research concludes that: empowerment can be achieved with clear objectives, education with microfinance stimulates the different skills of the poor, sustainability of a programme depends on people participation and education with credit is the most currently promoted approach for poverty alleviation and life improvement of the poor people. The limitation of the study is that, it is not representative of the whole microfinance sector since only one case was involved in the study.

Pages: 1266-1271
Sangeeta Trama and Nitisha Aggarwal (Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala)

Now-a-days, with the changing trends, particularly in the forces of urbanization, education and employment, women have begun to realize their capacities, and have taken a step forward in the industrialized world. Indian women particularly, are expected to be superwomen who, even while shouldering their responsibilities at homes as well as at the workplace, are supposed to live up to several people's expectation - be it their parents, in-laws, students, co-workers or the society at large. This takes a toll on their health due to role strain and role conflict. Thus, the burden on women due to multiple roles is a public health concern. Hence, there is a need to study health status of working women. According to OECD Health Data (2007), “Perceived health status refers to the percentage of the population, aged 15 or more years who report their health to be 'good' or 'better'.'' Reports of self-perceived health introduce a consumer's perspective and reveals aspects of health that may not become apparent with more traditional measures (EUPHIX, 2008). One variable which comes to limelight while considering the health status of working women is fatigue.Fatigue, is the state of feeling very tired, weary or sleepy resulting from insufficient sleep, prolonged mental or physical work, or extended periods of stress or anxiety. Fatigue has mainly been classified into mental fatigue and physical fatigue. Apart from fatigue, another variable which is crucial to health of working women is their level of psychological distress. Psychological distress is viewed as an emotional condition that involves negative views of the self, others and the environment, and is characterized by unpleasant subjective states, such as feeling tense, worried, and worthless. Fatigue and psychological distress share some relation with each other, and could have a deleterious effect on health. Therefore, the present investigation proposed to examine contribution of fatigue and psychological distress towards perceived health of working women. The sample for the present investigation comprised 75 married women aged 30-45 years (average age=37 years) coming from middle class families and working as school teachers in private/government schools of Solan (H.P., India). The tools used were Current Perceived Heath Questionnaire-42, Fatigue Scale, and Psychological Distress Scale subscale of General well-being-20. Inter-correlations were computed, and stepwise multiple regression analyses were applied. Regression analyses revealed that mental fatigue explained 15% of the variance in perceived health, and an additional 11% of the variance was explained by psychological distress (over and above the contribution of mental fatigue). Hence, the results revealed that mental fatigue and psychological distress negatively predicted the health status of working women. The results also indicated that mental fatigue rather than physical fatigue is crucial to health. The results have been discussed in light of the collectivistic nature of the Indian socio-cultural context, role strain hypothesis and role conflict in working women.

Pages: 1275-1279
Princy and Tejpreet Kaur Kang (Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana)

India is a home to one out of ten senior citizens in the world. This population, estimated to be over 80 million at present, is projected to grow to 124 million by 2020. Significantly women are doing better with life expectancy at 68 years compared to 66 years for men. Among the total elderly population, those who live in rural areas constitute 78 percent. Sex ratio in elderly population, which was 928 as compared to 927 in total population in the year 1996, is projected to become 1031 by the year 2016 as compared to 935 in the total population. So, the issue to improve the quality of life of these “silver citizens” is unquestionable. Happiness is a multidimensional construct comprising of emotional and cognitive elements. It is related with positive emotions whereas intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth balance our material pursuits and make us happy. Happiness can be achieved provided one has the wisdom of discovery, the wisdom of contentment, the wisdom of gratitude, the wisdom of giving and wisdom of self actualization. Spirituality is to some extent an one-to-one communication with the divine without the influence of any organization or a set of dogmatic views. It is based more on personal experiences rather than the experience of others. The Study” Spirituality as a correlate of Happiness among seniour citizens of Punjab: A comparative study”. Hence the objectives of the present research was framed to study the state of Happiness and Spirituality among male and female senior citizens. To study the relationship and contribution of Spirituality with state of Happiness among elderly. The sample comprised of 360 elderly persons (180 males and 180 females) in the age group 65years and above, only those elderly were selected for the sample who were leading a retired life, were not suffering from any deadly disease and belonged to middle socio economic status families. The sample was equally distributed over the three cultural zones of Punjab naming Malwa, Majha and Doaba.each selected district. Data was collected through questionnaire cum interview method. Resuts revealed that majority of male as well as female respondents were in average level of spirituality followed by high and low. Non-Significant gender differences existed in the level of spirituality among elderly. Maximum number of respondents were having average level of happiness followed by high and low. Male elderly perceived significantly more happiness as compared to their female counterparts. Significant association existed between spirituality and happiness among elderly males and females. Indicating that with increase in spirituality level of happiness also increases. All the dimensions of spirituality were significantly positively correlated with happiness except biostoria and inner self Spirituality was contributing significantly and positively as a protective factor for happiness.

Pages: 1285-1289
Rekha Gujjar (Rustomjee Business School, Dahisar (W), Mumbai)
Manju Mehta (Department of Psychology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur)

The present study was undertaken to see the effect of Sex role orientation on Organizational role stress among female government doctors. A total of 100 female government doctors from the state of Rajasthan served as sample for the study. To attain the objectives of the study, two psychometric instrumentsthe Bem Sex role Inventory (Bem 1981) and the Organisational Role Stress Scale (Pareek, 1981) were administered to the sample population to obtain data pertaining to the androgynous personality and organizational role stress variables. The data were analysed in terms of the t-test. The results of the study revealed that female government doctors with masculinity sex role orientation were significantly higher on inter-role distance stress as compared to female government doctors with androgynous and femininity sex role orientation. It was also found that female government doctors with undifferentiated sex role orientation were significantly higher on role overload as compared to female government doctors with androgynous sex role orientation.

Pages: 1293-1298
Priya Bhatnagar and S. P. K. Jena (Department of Applied Psychology, university of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi)

The present paper attempts to review the clinical severity of depression in Eating Disorders (ED). ED involves extreme disturbances and deviations in eating behaviour. Depression as a clinical feature is closely associated with ED pathology. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is characterized by enhanced levels of metacognitive capacities accompanied with a lack of positive beliefs. Aspects of self starvation assimilated with acute body image disturbance results in feeling of self loathing and distress. In the context of Bulimia Nervosa (BN), dysfunctional beliefs regarding weight and shape trigger binge and consequent compensatory behavior, forming the nucleus of the pathology. The vicious binge-purge cycle propelled with low levels of self esteem lead to emotional plunge and helplessness. In both the subtypes of ED, depressive features emerge as a core psychological component although magnitude is viewed to be higher in case of BN. The role of cognition lies common to the aetiology and maintenance of ED as well as depression. Inherent is a person's tendency to make errors in judgment based on cognitive factors amalgamating issues related to self with negative beliefs. In addition, traumatic life events, personality factors such as narcissistic traits, internal locus of control and lack of self serving bias strongly determine the course of eating patterns and gravity of depression. As a result, maladaptive schemas are built towards ownself, world and future. Owing causation to the tilts in cognitive capacities, both the pathologies perhaps operate as cause and effect to each other. Hence it is well concluded that persistence of depression as core symptomatic manifestation is specific to ED pathology. Also, since cognition is of crucial importance in occurrence of ED and depression both, treatment targeting the cognitive dynamics is hypothesized to prove effective. Future research is recommended in the same and related areas.

Pages: 1303-1306
Shahana Anjum and Asiya Aijaz (Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP)

Education of Indian Muslims seems to have become a matter of serious concern for the educational policy planners of the country and intellectuals who believe that the nation will develop if all its sections are educationally empowered. Muslims in India are educationally and economically most backward. In this paper an attempt was made to explain the basic purpose of education, to assess the prevailing conditions of the Muslim community in terms of education and find out the problems responsible for this condition such as absence of true Muslims leadership, lack of security and identity, low income, discriminatory attitudes of the majority community towards them, religious and mutual differences among themselves on the basis of social, economic, educational, linguistic, regional and other factors as well as to suggest certain ways and means to overcome these conditions.

Pages: 1310-1312
Thenu, C.T. and Hemalatha Natesan (Department of Psychology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)

From Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore, 40 parents of mentally retarded children were screened using Case Study Schedule (Hemalatha N atesan, 2008) and S.I. (Stress Inventory, Hemalatha Natesan & Nandini Menon, Revised 2005). Out of them, 35 were selected by Purposive Sampling. There were 10 male and 25 female. They were in the age range of 25-50 years. The sample was divided into 3 batches of around 12 in a batch for Positive Therapy. Positive Therapy evolved by Hemalatha Natesan (2004) is a package, combining the Eastern techniques of Yoga and Western techniques of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Six sessions of Positive Therapy was given in two weeks. Each session lasted for one hour. After two weeks, the subjects were re-assessed using the Case Study Re-assessment Schedule and S.I. Initially, 86% of the sample had 'High'/'Very High' stress. But none of them had 'High'/'Very High' stress after Positive Therapy. There was a significant reduction in the mean stress from 'High' (16.47) before Positive Therapy to 'Moderate' (6.29) after Positive Therapy. Worry was reported by the entire sample; the other common negative emotions experienced by the sample were depression, fear, irritation, anxiety, anger and hatred. The physiological symptoms reported by majority of the sample were sleep disturbance, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, weakness and body pain. After Positive Therapy, there was a drastic reduction in the negative emotions and physiological symptoms of the sample.

Pages: 1317-1319
Damanjit Sandhu and Shubhdip Kaur (Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala)

Disasters are mass traumatic events that involve multiple persons. As such there may be a wide range of people who may be considered “victims” of disaster, including those who nearly escaped death, those who are injured, family members of the deceased, and those who witnessed a catastrophic event. Accumulating evidences indicate that nature disasters can jeopardize severely the well being and normal functioning of the victims. Studies have thoroughly examined the psychological impacts of natural disasters. The most common impacts being Peritraumatic stress reactions, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, complicated grief symptoms, depression, anxiety disorder, substance abuse disorders, distorted perceptions, pessimism, suicidal ideation and attempts. The gravity of such consequences being more pronounced for the children. To combat the impacts of these disasters, the implementation of psychological interventions such as Psychological First Aid, grief counseling, could actually be fruitful. There seems to be many challenges in providing psychosocial support to the victims, such as unawareness, stigma, lack of integration of physical and psychosocial support, and the acute shortage of trained professionals. The real challenge in the current scenario, therefore, is to make psychosocial support, following disaster, a norm and not an exception in the country.

Pages: 1323-1327
Palak Malhotra and Kranti Sihotra (Department of Psychology, GCW Parade, Jammu, J&K)

Excessive anxiety contributes to a sense of helplessness in which a person feels little control over the present or future and continues maladaptive behaviour. In view of the negative influences of long standing anxiety the present study attempts to understand the influence of anxiety upon the adolescents. An emotionally stable person has the capacity to make effective adjustments with himself, members of his family, and his peers in the world, society and culture. As adolescents are the future and pillars of nation, so it is important to study their anxiety level which might affect their achievement scores. Since adolescence is a huge transition period, it is important time for healthy adjustment. The present study was undertaken to study the anxiety level and achievement scores of adolescent boys and girls. 52 boys and 52 girls within the age of 14 to 18years from Govt. school of Jammu were selected as a sample. Data was collected by administering Sinha's Comprehensive anxiety scale by Sinha (Raipur) and Sinha (Patna). While Sharma Academic Achievement Motivation Test (AAMT) by Sharma was used to measure the academic achievement motivation of school students. Normative survey method and Random sampling technique was used in the present study. The data obtained was analysed statistically and the study revealed that there is no significant difference in the anxiety level and academic achievement scores of adolescents.

Pages: 1330-1332
Zeenat Zahoor and Abu Sufiyan Zilli (Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh)

The world health organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community" (WHO, 2005). The present investigation is aimed to make a comparative study of mental health among elite and non-elite players. It was hypothesized that elite players would have better mental health as compared to non-elite players. The sample of the present investigation is based on (N=100) respondents, 50 elite and 50 non-elite players from different games. Statistical analysis reveals significant difference between means of two groups of elite and non-elite players.