Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

K. Kalaiselvan ¹, K. P. Naachimuthu ²

Affiliations
1 Lanco Infratech Ltd (EPC division), Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, IN
2 PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Relationship(s) are purely a choice, except those blood relations that are by chance. There are different people that we meet in our life and get acquainted to, attracted to, attached to and sometimes aversive too. Sociometry is the study of human connectedness. Sociometry is based on the fact that people make choices in interpersonal relationships. Whenever people gather, they make choices - where to sit or stand; choices about who is perceived as friendly and who not, who is central to the group, who is rejected, who is isolated. As Moreno (1953) says, “Choices are fundamental facts in all ongoing human relations, choices of people and choices of things. It is immaterial whether the motivations are known to the chooser or not; it is immaterial whether [the choices] are inarticulate or highly expressive, whether rational or irrational. They do not require any specialjustification as long as they are spontaneous and true to the self of the chooser. Each and every relationship is hence different and knowing them they are different and handling these differences is a greatest challenge in life. If we understand that each one is different to us, it has to be clearly manifested in the way we treat them, greet them or relate with them. In a relationship (especially intimate ones) we fail most of the time to make our loved ones feel that they are loved and they are special. Failing to do this either would end up in others having a set of expectations from us, which we may not or do not want to fulfill and/or we would end up in not differentiating our near and dear ones from a mere acquaintances or associates. When we can handle different relationships, we will be able to handle differences in relationship(s), since we know the importance or level of intimacy of that relationship(s) to us The concept of 'personal space' in social psychology talks more about placing different people at different physical distances. This paper attempts to build a model (based on several social psychology theories) on human relationships by classifying different relationships, based on the importance, intimacy and emotional connect/bonding with which we see that relationship(s).

Keywords

Relationships, Social Psychological Approach.

Full Text

     

R. Sruthy ¹, K. P. Naachimuthu ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Family is the first institution in the human society; it is the only relationship that provides security and support without any rewards in return. The effectiveness of family functioning in conditioning the children's personality and social development has an outstanding importance (Roelfse & Middleton, 1985). The family interactions play an important role in the development of an individual. These interactions and interpersonal relationships are seen between parents, parent and child, siblings, and other relative or person living in the household. The healthy functioning of these interaction patterns enhances mental health of the individual. The present study was conducted to find out the extent to which family relationship has an impact on general well-being in adolescents and young adults, and to understand the impact of family relationship variable on general well-being in adolescents and young adults. The results revealed that the amount of time and energy spent by mother and father on directing and controlling the adolescents or young adults is relatively more in this group. It was also found that the degree of independence and encouragement and believing in the capacity of these adolescents or young adults in this group to assume responsibility would have an influence on the general well-being.

Keywords

Family Relationship, Parenting Styles, Well-Being.

Full Text

     

K. P. Naachimuthu ¹, N. Ramkumar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The present study thus was aimed at finding the level of perceived loneliness of the goods/ passenger guards of the Southern Indian Railways and the impact of it on their General mental Health and Quality of Life. Southern Railways have four zones (Palakkad, Coimbatore, Chennai, Madurai, & Salem zone). Data were collected from 130 railway guards: 36 railway guards in Chennai region (19 goods guards / 16 passenger guards), 35 in Palakkad / Coimbatore(21 goods guards/14 passenger guards), 31 in Madurai region (15 goods guards/16 passenger guards), and28mSalemregion(20goods guards/Spassenger guards). Fromtheresultsofthepresent study It was found that the mean values for Perceived Loneliness scale for the passenger guards (2.98) and the goods guards (2.77) in Chennai Zone was relatively higher than other zones. The mean values for the Quality of Life Scale of the passenger guards(5.38)and the goods guards (5.67)in Madurai Zone is found to be relatively higher than the passenger guards and the goods guards from other zones. lt was found that the level of perceived loneliness does not have an impact on the quality of life of these guards. It may be due to the sHghter improvement in the working conditions of the guards; however, they still faced work-related problems because of lack of time for recreational activities. Results also showed that there is no significant difi-erence in the perceived loneliness and the general mental health and wellbeing of the passenger guards and goods guards in this study While the findings state that the goods/ passenger guardsofthe Southern Indian Railways(understudy) experienced low level to moderate level of loneliness, thereis also an indication that they are less satisfied with their quality of life.

Keywords

Perceived Loneliness, Quality of Life, General Mental Health.

Full Text

     

N. Shruthi Keerthika ¹, K. P. Naachimuthu ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Resilience is known to be the ability to face the changes, adapt to the new situations, and bounce back from the hard situations. It's a positive way to face situations, to find solutions to problems than pondering over the problem. Resilient people are more flexible and adaptable to change, they tend to recover from hardships, they learn from mistakes. The present study is an attempt to develop and validate PSG Resilience scale for Gen Y, focusing on four dimensions of resilience, and these dimensions define / describe the resilient behavior of an individual. The target population for this study was people of the age group 18-30. From the total population, about 300 students randomly chosen for the present study (sample size was determined based on the number of predictors using G3 statistical software). The age range of the participants was 17 to 30 years, with a mean age (21.0 years). To explore the underlying factor structure of the PSG Resilience scale, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the data set. This is used to reduce a relatively large number of variables into a parsimonious set of factors (DeVellis, 2003) and to ensure the construct validity of the scale. Reliability analysis were also done, the PSG Resilience scale for Gen Y was found to be reliable and valid.

Keywords

Social Support, Emotional Maturity, Adaptability, Life Orientation.

Full Text

     

Divya Chavaly ¹, K. P. Naachimuthu ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The rapid deterioration of both the natural environment and mental health calls attention to investigate the link between their parallel decline. Anticipating the need for an analysis of the same, the present paper attempts to summarise the literature covering human-nature connection and its implications for mental health in terms of research, therapy and intervention. The papers reviewed are organised under three sections. The first section delineates the effects of nature exposure on health and conceptualises the various nature-based therapies and techniques in literature. The second section includes the literature on Nature Deficit Disorder-a term, given by Richard Louv, referring to the collective consequences of disconnect with nature among today's children. Finally, the third section includes evidences that support rebuilding the connection through outdoor education and the importance of turning to indigenous ways of teaching for a better impact.

Keywords

Nature Connectedness, Nature Deficit Disorder, Anthropocentric.

Full Text

     

S. Ganga ¹, P. M. Mathiyoli ¹, K. P. Naachimuthu ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Food, which was once a survival need, now transformed into a material of lavishness and comfort. Both the food & food industry underwent drastic changes in the past few decades and the ecological, social, psychological, economical and biological impact it brought about is devastating. All this started when humans got struck in a luxury trap; a trap which is called Wheat in its changed appearance which is widely consumed in the form of refined flour (otherwise called Maida). Maida a waste introduced in the diet of human beings only a few centuries ago managed to evolve into a billion dollar industry and made a permanent mark in the lifestyle of human beings. But the physiological, psychological and ecological impacts caused by this waste already have an adverse effect on the current generations and will definitely take a toll on the generations to come. Despite knowing the damage caused by this waste, no strong action was taken for it, till date. Maida has become a perfect example of self destructing and invasive product to human beings. Still the Homo sapiens have a chance to save themselves from this disaster by changing their existing pattern of life/food habits. The present paper thus discusses the physiological, psychological and ecological impacts of this anthropogenic unhealthy food habits.

Keywords

Maida, Refined White Flour, Gluten Factor.

Full Text