Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Pages: 561-563
Anjana Bhattacharjee and Nabanita Banik (Department of Psychology, Tripura University, Agartala, Tripura)

The present study aimed at assessing the relation between antenatal depression and social support among pregnant women. The study was conducted at Agartala Municipal Corporation Area. From this area 100 pregnant women was randomly selected. Beck Depression Inventory II and Social Support Scale were used for data collection. Analysis of data revealed that ante natal depression has a strong negative correlation with social support and this negative correlation was more among pregnant women from joint family back ground. However there is no significant impact of family type on the social support and level of depression among the pregnant women.

Pages: 571-578
Shivani Datta and Tanya Dutta (Department of Psychology, KNC, University of Delhi, Delhi)

The purpose of the current study is to explore gender differences in employee's perception of employer's obligation's, its fulfillment and relationship with job satisfaction. To study the same a sample of 60 participants was selected. For inclusion in the study, participants were required to be full-time employees of any company from the IT industry. The employer obligations scale was administered to measure employee's perception of their employer's obligation. A global measure of employer fulfillment was used to measure the employee's perception of their employer's obligation fulfillment by Rousseau and Tijoriwala (1999). To assess the relationship between fulfillment and overall satisfaction a global measure of Satisfaction was used where a five-item response set using smiley faces was employed (as a cultural and gender-neutral variation on the GM-Faces Scale, Kunin, 1955). Statistical analysis was done using independent t- test and correlation coefficient; also the responses of participants to semi structure interview schedule were content analyzed for major themes. The results obtained suggest that there exist no gender differences in the employee's perception of their employer obligation. However significant gender differences were obtained in the employer obligation fulfillment. While a strong correlation was found between employers obligation fulfillment and overall job satisfaction for both male and female employees.

Pages: 585-593
Sangeeta Trama and Shilpa Modi (Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala)

Spirituality is an awareness of life which enables us to think about life, who we are and where we come from (Mc Ewan, 2004). Spirituality is the feeling individuals have about the fundamental meaning of who they are, what they are doing, and the contributions they are making (Vaill, 1996). Spiritual beliefs, commitments, and practices appear to be related to such positive outcomes such as physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, positive interpersonal functioning, and enhanced quality of life (Emmons, 2000). No matter how life is right now, there is a part of the self who has all the knowledge and resources to change it. Self-enhancement is thought to be the foremost motive in the perpetual search for self-knowledge (Sedikides, 1993). To clear all the blockages which stop one from experiencing one's true self, to explore the inner being, to access one's highest potential, to learn more about oneself, and to know practical tools and techniques to change one's life, is self-enhancement. While higher education focuses with new intensity on test scores, grades, persistence, and degrees, it has increasingly come to neglect students' “inner” development the need of values and beliefs, moral development, spirituality, and self-understanding. The present study attempted to develop spiritual orientation in young adults with the help of self-enhancement training. In this study, 70 participants were identified out of a group of 200 participants who scored less on spiritual orientation. These young adults were female students studying in various colleges/universities in and around Patiala. Thereafter, self-enhancement training was rendered to the participants. An attempt was made to explore differences in young adults in areas of inner self-enhancement (viz., self-acceptance, positive emotions, emotion regulation, and mindfulness). t-test (for related samples) was applied to analyze the results. The paper highlights the role of adequate spiritual orientation right from an early age so that they can make the best use of their potential, and can be an asset for themselves, their families as well as the society.

Pages: 600-603
A. P. Singh, Vinod Kumar Gupta and Anand Prakash Dubey (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Avantika Singh (Department of Education, R. R. P. G. College, Amethi Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, U.P.)

The purpose of this paper was to explore the role of occupational stress in somatic health complaints among executives in public sector organizations. Somatic health complaints lead to disability, absenteeism, job loss and subsequent unemployment in the organizations. The present study was conducted on 210 executives and results revealed that occupational stress (total), role overload, role ambiguity, and role conflict (dimensions of occupational stress) were significantly positively correlated with somatic health complaints. The results of simple regression analysis showedthat occupational stress predicted significantly somatic health complaints while results of stepwise regression analysis showed that role conflict (dimension of occupational stress) emerged as significant predictors to influence the somatic complaints. The findings of this study will help in reducing the somatic health complaints through considering the role of the present predictor so that organizations will achieve their goals.

Pages: 607-610
Reshma N. S. and Manjula M. Y. (Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Psychology, S.D.M.College (Autonomous), Ujire, Karnataka)

The current study aims at exploring life satisfaction across gender and socio-economic status among middle adults. The study consists of 150 middle adults (male=75, females=75) selected from 3 different socio-economic status groups (high=50, middle=50, low=50). The sample was drawn from Mangalore city. The age of the sample ranged between 40-55 yrs. Kuppuswamy's socio-economic status scale (R-2012) and Life satisfaction scale (Kumar, et.al 1988) was administered to the participants. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post hoc test of Turkey's HSD. The results revealed that females have significantly higher job satisfaction than males. Findings revealed that adults belonging to high socio-economic status have significantly higher mental satisfaction, job satisfaction, family satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and overall life satisfaction compared to adults from lower socio-economic status groups. Adults belonging to middle socio-economic status groups have significantly higher mental satisfaction and job satisfaction when compared to adults from lower socio-economic status groups.

Pages: 615-618
Sandeep G. (Department of Demography, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala )

With favourable conditions for population ageing, the problem of morbidity burden due to chronic diseases may also be increasing in Kerala. Kerala has a dubious distinction as the 'diabetes capital' in the country. This paper examined the distribution of women and men aged 20-49 years according the diabetes status and also identified the major risk factors of diabetes in Kerala. The data were obtained from National Family Health Survey 2005-06 (NFHS 3). Bivariate and multivariate techniques are used in the analyses. Prevalence of Diabetes was 4688/ 100 000 among men and 2953/100 000 among women in Kerala. Weekly and daily fish intake contributed to a significantly higher risk of diabetes among both women and men. Risks of diabetes increased with increased BMI, age and wealth status of both women and men. Daily consumption of pulse/beans or fruits was associated with a significantly reduced risk of diabetes among women, whereas non-significant inverse associations were observed in the case of men. Health promotion campaigns that emphasize healthy eating and exercise are needed to encourage healthier lives.

Pages: 623-626
Yamuna Devi A and S. Sulaja (Department of Demography, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala)

This study examined the changes old age mortality in India through modal ages at death from 1977-2011. Death data from the Sample Registration System of India were used for the study. Changes in modal ages at death showed significant improvement for both males and females. However, the improvement was much greater for females. This study also observed shifts in the shape of distribution of age at death and the survival curve over time. Longevity extension alone cannot be measure the health of the population in any society, considerable reduction in morbidity also required. Rising prevalence morbidity among elderly and poor health care are the existing situation in India. Thus more efforts need to be exerted to maintain the improvement in the geriatric care in India.

Pages: 632-635
Farah Habib and Saba Khan (Department of Home Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh)

The objective of this study was to examine how attributional style is related to level of academic achievement, which is evidenced by students' performance in exam in an educational institution. The data were collected from 136 students randomly selected from senior secondary school of AMU (both boys and girls section). The high and low achieving students were identified on the basis of percentage of marks in senior secondary certificate part-I examination. The attributional style was measured by attributional style questionnaire (ASQ) developed by Peterson, Semmel, Von Baeyer, Abramson, Metalsky and Seligman (1982) and revised by Peterson and Seligman (1984). The data were analyzed by using t-test for finding out the significance of difference between various subgroups. Significant differences in attributional style were obtained between high and low achieving student.

Pages: 639-641
Manpreet Ola (Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied, Sciences, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana)

From over a decade, positive psychology has been interested in concepts associated with positive human functioning. In this study we will focus on another emerging concept of positive psychology. Eudaimonia which is identified as the greatest human good, it is the best or greatest activity of the soul or joy which permeates and fulfils a good life. It is often translated as happiness, joy or well-being, and it also has some connotations like success, so it is possible to understand that living well also includes doing well. It is essential and independent, achieved by nothing but itself, so that it may include everything else, and even comfort, however it extends beyond it (Broadie, 1991). This was introduced by Aristotle. It is a topic for scientific enquiry. The aim of the study was to see whether eudaimonic well-being will have any impact on depression, anxiety, stress and meaning at work in male and female doctors. Participants were 60 doctors (30 males and 30 females) from Rajasthan, India, in the age range of 30-60 years, with no history of any psychiatric illness. They gave their consent to participate in the study. Eudaimonic well being was assessed using the purpose in life scale of the Ryff measures of psychological well-being (Keyes et al., 2002; Ryff and Keyes, 1995; Smith et al., 2013), depression, anxiety, and stress levels through Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS by Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and meaningful work through work and meaning inventory (Steger, 2012). Sample was purposive and the data were collected in individual situations. There was difference between male and female doctors with regard to eudaimonic well-being, depression, anxiety, stress and meaning at work, however only on the dimension of depression the results were significant, where male doctors had significantly more depression than that of female doctors (t = 2.64, p = .01). With regard to correlation between eudaimonic well-being, depression, anxiety and stress there was significant inverse correlation (r = -.82; r = -.72; r = -.71) respectively (p = .01). However with meaning at work there was positive correlation with eudaimonic well-being (r = .52; p = .01). It can be concluded that positive eudaimonic well-being reduces mental health concerns and it has a positive influence on individuals who find their work meaningful. Also we can say that work is only one of many, and often not the most important of the influences on health and well-being. However due to the small sample size the result findings cannot be generalized.

Pages: 645-647
Bhupender Singh and B. R. Shejwal (Department of Psychology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra )

The present study has been carried out with the objective to explore the role of mental image and positive emotions on work motivation among security professionals. Tools like Mental Image among Security Professionals (MISP), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule extended (PANAS-X), Work Motivation Questionnaire (WMQ) and personal data sheet were administered on 120 male security professionals. After the initial screening of the data and stepwise multiple regression was applied on the obtained data. The results demonstrated that mental image especially, visual image and auditory image were significantly predicting the work motivation among the security professionals. This gives path for the application of various mental image enhancing methods in this field.

Pages: 651-661
K. Bhuvaneswari and Sibnath Deb (Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry)

Children need to be cared for and protected for the formation of a robust nation. The rampant increase in incidence of child sexual abuse becomes a major apprehension for all stakeholders in society. Child sexual abuse is viewed as Progressive Social Disorder as there are many hurdles which the child, family and community find difficulty to come out from, which is augmented by recurrence of abuse on the same victim and on different victim by same offender or by different offender. The consequences of sexual abuse on the child include short-term and long-term impact on the developmental aspects of the child throughout their lifespan. A model for combating the disorder has been developed. Prevention, Justice and Rehabilitation entailing equal significance by stakeholders, is required towards creation of healthy and safe haven for the future of the nation.

Pages: 668-670
Harmeen K. Basra (Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Panjab)

Children's peer relations are perhaps the most ubiquitous of all human relationships. Sociometric status is distinct from friendship or peer group membership and concerns overall peer acceptance. Sociometric status is unilateral in terms of measurement, in group evaluations of individual members , but it is not a unitary social construct. The present study studies the sociometric status and peer group behavior. Numerous studies have examined the types of behaviors that children ascribe to peers who vary in preference and popularity. The social context plays a major role in the line between social behavior and social status.