Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Aparna Bhattacharya ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP, IN

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to highlight the threats in living and loving in the times of HIV/AIDS. HIV destroys the immune system and makes the body waste away. With reduced immune functioning come several opportunistic infections resulting in AIDS. HIV outside the human body is very fragile (easily destroyable); once inside, it is there for keeps. Nothing can then be done to remove the HIV virus. Once infected, the condition can only be managed with drugs. Since HIV is behaviorally acquired, its prevention is easy. To remain healthy and sero negative all one has to do is avoid indulging in high risk behaviors. Yet surveys indicate that HIV transmission rates have been increasing with some 33.4 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. This paper reviews the changing social trends with respect to educational and economic development, permissiveness and independence, increased mobility, exposure to western egalitarian norms, inter caste/religion/regional marriages, varying sexual orientations and a preoccupation of youth with social networking sites. There are also an increasing number of live-in relationships, distant relationships, gay/lesbian relationships, one night stand, and relationships with multiple partners. Some of these changes could predispose one to indulge in high risk behaviors and thus become vulnerable to HIV and STIs besides falling prey to other social, emotional, and legal problems. Social change is inevitable. It is often desirable too. The need of the hour is to develop strategies for making informed choices and indulging in healthy responsible behaviors. The transmission of HIV and STIs can be prevented by awareness building, life skills training to adolescents and young adults, enabling parents to discuss gender, sex and sexuality issues with their young children in a non threatening environment. We must remember that with freedom, power and fun comes a great deal of responsibility. We need to adapt to the social change ny engaging in safer practices. Moral values, self respect, problem solving and negotiation skills and informed helthy choices should therefore be every ones concern in current lives and times. Changes is the way of life. Adjusting to the changing social scenario in a healthy and responsible way is the concern of the present paper.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Living, Loving, Youth, High Risk Behaviors, Social Change.

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Archana Shukla ¹, Neha Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

The aim of this present study was to cast a glance at Self Other Relatedness among alcoholics. Sample of 50 alcoholic male patients were selected through purposive sampling technique from Disha De addiction center and Navjyoti Kiran De addiction center in Lucknow city. Their age ranged from 35-45 years with the mean age of 40 years. Circle technique developed by Thrower, Bruce and Walton (1982) was administered on the subjects. Results revealed that there is denial of self in one's life space. Further, self is perceived inadequate and insignificant by alcoholics.

Keywords

Self other Relatedness, Alcohol and Alcoholics.

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Archana Shukla ¹, Pooja Pandey ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, UP, IN

Abstract

Spousal chronic illness is a challenge for both partners. The ill partner suffers due to the disease. The well partner suffers as he/she takes on the additional burden of caring for the ill spouse. Thus although only one partner of the marital dyad is ill, both of the marital partners and their relationships as well as lives get affected. Spousal illness therefore necessitates reframing of the underlying cognitions, remodeling of personal relationships, and reorganizing of lives. Much of these have to be done by the well partners. The present study sampled 304 male and female caregivers belonging to the four age groups of 25-35 yrs, 36-45 yrs, 46-55 yrs and 56-65 yrs and explored the extent to which they used three specific cognitive reframing strategies adaptive outlook, mental renovations and relationship remodeling - in order to care for and cope with spouses who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Data were collected through face to face personal interviews with caregivers and analyzed using 2x4 ANOVAs to study the gender and age related differences in the use of cognitive reframing strategies. The analysis revealed a significant main effect of sex with respect to all three cognitive reframing strategies. As compared to female caregivers, male caregivers were found to make greater use of adaptive outlook, mental renovations and relationship remodeling in their daily living. The findings are discussed in the light of sex roles, gender role socialization and clinical researches. The worth of the study lies in showing how care giving experiences of females differ from that of males in terms of nature, structure, range, amount and quality and also how cognitive reframing interventions, particularly for women, could be of great benefit in the context of caring for their chronically ill spouse.

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Sabahat Abdullah ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow. U. P., IN

Abstract

The present study explored gender, age and diagnosis related differences in depression, anxiety and stress among a small sample (n=160) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and a matched sample of undiagnosed respondents. The People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) group was found to experience more depression, anxiety and stress than a demographically similar undiagnosed group. Women irrespective of diagnosis were more depressed and stressed than males. Anxiety was highest among males in the PLHA group. The study highlights the vulnerable position of PLHA in India, especially the HIV infected women who due to their secondary gender status and its associated consequences experience substantial level of general distress.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Women, PLHA

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Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP, IN

Abstract

The present study attempts to cast a glance at the object relations of a 50 year old female leprosy patient (named M in the present study) from Jyoti Nagar Leprosy Rehabilitation Center, Mohanlalgang, Lucknow. In the present study, self object relationship has been operationally defined in terms of responses on Rorschach test, which has been analyzed in the perspective of Lerner (1991) Object Relations Theory. Results brought to fore a self image engulfed with helplessness, being consumed and eaten by the hostile world. M seems to reflect a schizoid character with sub features of depression and obsessive compulsive. Empty depression is evident. It seems to be cut and dry protocol.

Keywords

Leprosy, Object Relations, Obsessive Compulsive, Empty Depression.

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Shilpa Singh ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, U.P., IN

Abstract

The present research aims to study the level of optimism among institutionalized male and female elderly For the purpose, a study was conducted on a purposive sample consisting of 200 elderly (62-72 yrs.) staying in various institutionalized homes of Delhi. The Hindi version of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (or Optimism Scale) by Schrier and Carver (1985) was used for the present study. An overview of the results depicted that a major section of the elderly population under study had high level of optimism. Gender differences were observed as females were found to be more optimistic as compared to males.

Keywords

Optimism, Institutionalized, Gender.

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Archana Shukla ¹, Deepti Mehrotra ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, U.P., IN

Abstract

The present study endeavourers to cast a glance at the Quality of Life among Female Sex Workers in CREATE (Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship and Technical Education) at Lucknow, with the help of WHO QOL-BREF 1996 questionnaire. Sample comprised of 30 female sex workers selected on the basis of purpose sampling (age ranged 20-30 years). Results revealed poor quality of life of FSW further in terms of domains they were high on psychological and environmental domains of quality of life as compared to physical and social domains.

Keywords

Female Sex Worker, Prostitution, Quality of Life.

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Archana Shukla ¹, Shilpa Chauhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

This research study is an attempt made to explore the level of quality of life among elderly males and females. The sample consisted of 20 elderly subjects (10 males, 10 females) from urban population in a family setting. The WHO Quality of Life Scale-Brief Version (WHO QOL BREF)(1996) was applied on the subjects to evaluate their quality of life on 4 domains (physical, psychological, social and environmental). T-testing of the scores indicates that there are gender differences in the quality of life of elderly on Physical and Social domains. No gender difference was found on the psychological and environmental domains. Females showed slightly better scores than males on all QOL domains (except the physical domain), though the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Overall, no significant gender difference was found in the quality of life among elderly.

Keywords

Quality of Life, Elders, Gender.

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Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

The present study endeavours to cast a glance at psychological coping patterns in leprosy patients from Jyoti Nagar Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre, Mohanlalganj, Lucknow. An expost-facto research with an exploratory orientation was conducted on 70 male leprosy patients. An effort was made to identify what coping patterns these patients apply. Results revealed prominent shades of negativity throughout. They have attributed leprosy as the cause of everything. Further an attempt is there to rationalize the dissatisfaction that is felt due to others reactions.

Keywords

Psychological Coping, Leprosy Patients.

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Archana Shukla ¹, Swati Pathak ²

Affiliations
1 Psychology Department, Lucknow University, Lucknow (U J), IN
2 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

The present study endeavors to assess the attitude of males and females towards homosexuality. This study was conducted on ten subjects (five males and five females) purposively selected from lucknow city. For this purpose “Homosexuality Attitude Scale” developed by Kite and Deaux (1986) was used. The results indicate that males hold a more negative attitude towards homosexuality than do females.

Keywords

Homosexuality, Gender.

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Sabahat Abdullah ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Depression among people living with an HIV infection is a matter of extreme concern since depression in turn is associated with poor health outcomes and lower quality of life for them. The purpose of this study was to find out (1) the gender difference in symptoms of depression among people living with an HIV infection, and (2) to compare the symptoms of depression in this group to a demographically similar undiagnosed comparative group. Results indicated that seropositive women had the highest level of depression followed by seropositive men and the diagnosed group experienced more symptoms of depression than the undiagnosed group. The findings can be utilised to develop specialised, targeted intervention for people living with HIV infection.

Keywords

HIV, Depression, Gender.

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Preeti Gupta ¹, Archana Shukla ², Surjit Prasad ³

Affiliations
1 Clinical Psychologist, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN
2 AIBAS and Dean, Amity University, Manesar, Havana, IN
3 RINPAS, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, IN

Abstract

Literature has reported geographical variances and a number of affective and cognitive factors that play a critical role m the experience and management of pam sensations and also m the development and maintenance of stress or stress-related disorders like headaches. Finding out the effective coping is a requisite in management. Present paper tends to Identify the differences m passive-active as well as affective-cognitive coping techniques employed in tension type headache (TTH) and m migraine in Indian context. For this 30 patients with TTH and 30 patients with migraine diagnosed by consultant, psychiatrists were purposively selected from private and outpatient clinics of UP, India. They were assessed on pam coping inventory and significant differences were found among various coping styles adopted by each group. Findings also suggest a need for an individual module for strengthening active coping with an addition of cognitive therapy techniques to behavioral therapy.

Keywords

Tension Type, Migraine, Active, Passive Coping, Pain Coping.

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Athullya Nair ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 AIBAS, Amity University, Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, IN

Abstract

The vital objective of the paper is to focus on reviewing diverse literature that has been propagandized, on the efficacy of various psychotherapies on the mental health of the survivors/victims of child sexual abuse. It also emphasises on the certitude of looking at the theoretical ischolar_mains of each therapy. The therapies that are predominantly probed into are EMDR, Transactional Analysis, Biofeedback, Psychoanalysis, CBT and REBT. Reviewing articles opens an opportunity to meticulously anatomize the developments till the most recent study and the gap that prevails with each of the therapy in reaching the desired result for betterment. The contributions of CBT and REBT in improving the symptoms of the mental health caused by an abuse during the formative years, are exemplary. Howbeit, the other therapies mentioned here, REBT and its techniques are being adhered on each mental health disorder and receives attention discreetly.

Keywords

Child Sexual Abuse, Trauma, EMDR, Biofeedback, Transactional Analysis, Psychoanalysis.

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Saurabh Srivastava ¹, Archana Shukla ²

Affiliations
1 Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Seienees Amity University, Lueknow Campus, Lueknow, Uttar Pradesh, IN
2 Department ofPsyehology University of Lueknow, Lueknow, Uttar Pardesh, IN

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to cast a glance on the perceived psychosocial issues among Higher Secondary students. 50 higher secondary students (25 boys & 25 girls) age ranged 15 years to 17 years were selected through purposive sampling trom government schools, Lucknow city. For access psychosocial issues students were asked to rate any five significant issues related to their life. Content analysis of the obtained data was done, and percentages were computed. Results revealed that higher secondary students face lots of psychosocial issues like lack of applied orientation in academics, relationship dilemmas related to family, peer group and dissatisfaction trom their physical appearance. Gender ditferences emerged as girls faced more academics andpsychological issues than boys.

Keywords

Applied Orientation, Relationship Dilemmas, Family Peer Group, Students.

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