Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Harpreet Kaur ¹, Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, P.A.U. Ludhiana, IN

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to analyze the sex differentials in the extent of social isolation felt by the aged in our society. It is based upon 120 aged drawn from an urban setting (Ludhiana city). The sample was distributed equally over the three socio-economic strata (high, middle and low) and the two sexes. The investigations revealed that the males and females experienced social isolation in comparable proportions and degrees across various dimensions of social isolation (family, friends, neighbours and coping mechanisms) and across all socio-economic levels (high, middle and low).

Keywords

Social Isolation, Sex Dif Ferentials, Aged People.

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Divya Narang ¹, Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, IN

Abstract

Women, as members of a dynamic group in society, play a crucial role in positively transforming conflict situations and in building the foundations of democratic and peaceful societies. Around the world many women are victims of cultural, direct, and structural violence. However, they rarely become carriers of that violence or perpetration rather they decide to act constructively towards building a culture of peace. But, there is limited data to back up these statements which are more rhetorical than substantive. Though a woman symbolizes essential elements of both challenges: posing at once potential threats to peace and peace building resources, yet most of the time women are underestimated as positive agents of change and key actors in peace-building. A neglect of women is short-sighted and counterproductive in terms of peace building particularly in the crucial post-harmony phase with its twin challenges of violence prevention/peace maintenance and societal reconciliation and reconstruction. Men and women may have different ways of dealing with conflict based on their ascribed societal roles. Women may be discouraged from using violence if it isn't seen as feminine, while men may be encouraged to be violent to prove their masculinity. These cultural characteristics attributed to women like being nurturing and compassionate, makes it easier for women to learn and demonstrate peace. Because women are the central caretakers of families in many cultures, everyone suffers when women are oppressed, victimized, and excluded from peace building. Their centrality to communal life makes their inclusion in peace building indispensable and their gender identities allow them to do some forms of peace building that men cannot do. In addition, some women have found it advantageous to draw on skills, assets, and capacities that are available to them in oppressive patriarchal systems and harness these for productive use in peace building. Because women are half of every community and the tasks of peace building are so great, women and men must be partners in the process of peace building, This paper explores the unique role of women as peace-builders, illustrating their exceptional power and potential to effect social change.

Keywords

Gender Mainstreaming, Peace Building, Women Power.

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Sarita Saini ¹, Sushma Jaswal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, PAU, Ludhiana, IN

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess gender differentials in the 'Becoming Component' of the Quality of Life of elderly (65 years&above) living in various types of support systems. 'Becoming Component' refers to the things one does in his life that define him and is known to impact the Quality of Life of an individual. The study comprised a sample of 400 subjects from Ludhiana city, equally drawn from four support systems viz. elderly living with sons, living with daughters, living alone, and living in institutions. The sample was further divided over the two sexes. A Quality of Life Profile, senior's version prepared and published by Quality of Life Research Unit, University of Toronto, Canada (2000) was administered to measure the 'Becoming Component' of Quality of Life (QOL) of the subjects across various support systems. The 'Becoming Component' of the QOL was studied under three dimensions viz. 'Practical Becoming' concerning practical and purposeful activities in one's life, 'Leisure Becoming' relating to fun and enjoyment, and 'Growth Becoming' referring to adjustments to life's changes and self improvements. The study revealed that there were significant gender differentials across different dimensions of the 'Becoming Component' of the QOL of aged living across different support systems. It was found that very few elderly females compared to males were enjoying 'Very Good Quality of life' with respect to the 'Becoming Component'. It was true across all dimensions of the 'Becoming Component' of QOL and varying support systems. The results revealed that 'Practical Becoming and Leisure Becoming' dimensions were significantly weaker for females living across all support systems except those 'living with sons'. However, the 'Growth Becoming' was found to be significantly weaker for females 'living alone or in institutions'. Comparatively, the picture was far more encouraging for the male counterparts.

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Navjot Kukreja ¹, Sarita Saini ¹, Deepika Vig ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to analyse the relationship between intellectual abilities, metacognitive skills and academic performance of rural adolescents (13-16 years). The study was conducted in Government schools in villages of Ludhiana-I Block. The final sample comprised 240 rural school-going adolescents (N=240) studying in grade 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th. The subjects were equally distributed across both the genders (Males=120 and Females=120) and all the grades. To assess the metacognitive skills of the adolescents, a Self-Structured Metacognitive Questionnaire adapted from Metacognition Inventory (Govil 2003) and Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (Schraw&Dennison 1994) was used. Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (Raven 1960) was used to assess the intellectual abilities of the selected subjects, whereas the academic performance was assessed through aggregate percentage of marks/ grades obtained by the subject in the last school examination substantiated by teacher ratings. It was found that majority of the adolescents had an 'Average' level of metacognition. 'Above Average' and 'Average' level of Intellectual Abilities and Grade A' and 'Grade B' level of Academic Performance. However, gender differentials were found to be non-significant in distribution across the various levels of Intellectual Abilities, Metacognition as well as Academic Performance. Further, the subjects were found to be reasonably well in their Procedural skills, Declarative Knowledge, Evaluation, Comprehension, Monitoring and Planning aspects, but were quite weak in some of the learning strategies like Conditional Knowledge, Debugging and Information Management Strategies.

Keywords

Metacognitive Skills, Knowledge of Cognition, Regulation of Cognition, Academic Performance, Intellectual Abilities.

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Rupinder Kaur Grewal ¹, Deepika Vig ¹, Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Visual perceptual skills play an important role in learning how to form letters. These skills are also important for copying, sizing, spacing and orienting letters and words correctly. The present study aimed to ascertain the contribution of visual perception in determining the quality of handwriting. The total sample for the study comprised of 160 public school children studying in grade 3 and 4. Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices was administered to ascertain intellectual abilities of the children. They were further evenly distributed across the categories of good and poor writers (English language) viz. children with good handwriting (n=80) and poor handwriting (n=80) by administering handwriting test by Lilley (2006). The visual perception test was also administered on the same sample. The results revealed that sub - skills of visual perception were found significantly higher among students with good handwriting. It signifies that children with good handwriting had better visual perceptual skills in contrast to children with poor handwriting.

Keywords

Visual Perception, Visual Discrimination, Visual Closure, Visual Motor Integration, Position in Space And Visual Analysis, Good Handwriting, Poor Handwriting

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Sarita Saini ¹, Deepika Vig ¹, Harleen Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, IN

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the perceptions of adolescents regarding the prevalence of various Psycho-Social Morbidities, viz.. Depression, Attention and Thought Problems, Somatic Complaints, Aggression, Delinquent Behaviour, Social Problems and Withdrawn Behaviour in the present day society. The study was based upon the sample of 200 adolescents (100 boys and 100 girls) drawn equally from randomly selected Senior Secondary Schools of Ludhiana City. The Socio-economic Status Scale by Sharma (2010) was administered to ascertain the middle socio-economic status of the sample adolescents. Thereafter, a self- structured questionnaire in Punjabi vernacular adapted from Youth Self Report (YSR) Inventory by Achenbach (2001) was administered to the sampled adolescents to obtain the information pertaining to their perceptions regarding prevalent psycho-social morbidities. The results revealed that 'Social Problems' followed by 'Attention and Thought Problems' were the major threat to the psychological well-being of the youth in contemporary society whereas, 'Aggression and Delinquent Behaviour' were perceived as the least existent. Also, significant gender differences were observed in 'Aggression and Delinquent Behaviour' dimension of psycho-social morbidities with significantly more number of boys experiencing 'average' and 'high' level of'Aggression and Delinquent Behaviour' as compared to their female counterparts. These trends call for an urgent attention towards preserving the physical and psychological well-being of youth through the resolution of the sporadic struggle and mental conflicts which adolescents reportedly face in the present day society.

Keywords

Adolescents, Psycho-Social, Physical and Mental Wellbeing, Morbidities.

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Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, College of Home Science, PAU, Ludhiana, IN

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to perform a multidimensional assessment of Quality of Life of elderly (65 years & above) living in various types of support systems. The study comprised a sample of 400 subjects from Ludhiana city, equally drawn from four support systems viz. elderly living with sons, living with daughters, living alone, and living in institutions. The sample was further divided over the two sexes. Quality of life is a complex, multifaceted construct that requires multiple approaches to develop insights about Quality of Life. Thus, a Quality of Life Profile, senior's version prepared and published by Quality of Life Research Unit, University of Toronto, Canada (2000) was administered to measure the Quality of Life (QOL) of the subjects across various dimensions of QOL and different support systems. This Quality ofLife approach recognizes that there are three different 'Components' of living that contribute to Quality of Life (QOL) of an individual. These are Being, Belonging and Becoming Components. Each of these components has three dimensions. Thus, there are nine specific dimensions/areas that are an integral part of the lives of all individuals. All these need to be considered to assess an individual's Quality of Life (QOL). The spectrum of strong and weak dimensions of the Quality of Life across four support systems was developed which clearly pointed towards Leisure Becoming, Growth Becoming and Community Belonging as the most vulnerable dimensions of Quality ofLife of elderly living across four support systems. It was further observed that the 'Physical Belonging' emerged as the reasonably strong dimension of QOL across majority of support systems. Therefore, culture and region specific inputs were suggested to strengthen the weaker dimensions to ameliorate the QOL of the elderly.

Keywords

Quality of Life (QOL), Support Systems, Dimensions of QOL, Elderly.

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Ishina Bagga ¹, Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Values are the beliefs and ideals of a person that guide a person's actions and are the basis for all decisions, interests, behaviours and goals in life. Inter-generational conflicts arise due to discrepancies in values, interests and needs of two generations. The most talked about inter-generational conflict in present day society is between the parents and their adolescent children. The present research was taken up to investigate and analyze the differences in the value system of adolescents and their parents. The sample for the study comprised of 100 school going adolescents (boys=50&girls=50) in the age group of 16 to 18 years of age and their parents (fathers=100&mothers=100) selected from two schools of Ludhiana city, during the session 2015-2016.The value system of adolescents and their parents was assessed by using Personal Values Questionnaire (PVQ) developed by Sherry and Verma (1971). The analysis of the data revealed that parents valued religion and health more than their children, whereas, adolescents surpassed their parents in economic and hedonistic values. Daughters were found to be more appreciative of aesthetics and sons were found to be more power oriented than their mothers. However, mothers had higher aesthetic value than fathers.

Keywords

Values, Value System, Adolescents, Parents.

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Gagandeep Kaur ¹, Sarita Saini ¹, Deepika Vig ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the learning styles and metacognitive skills of rural adolescents. The sample for the study comprised 200 rural school going adolescents (grade 9th & 10th) randomly drawn from the selected Government Senior Secondary Schools of the selected village of Ludhiana-1 Block. The subjects were equally distributed across both the grades (grade 9th =100 & grade 10th =100) as well as genders (males= 100 & females =100). VAK Learning Styles Self Assessment Questionnaire (Chislett & Chapman, 2005) and Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (Schraw & Dennison, 1994) were used to collect data. Results of this research indicated that the major proportion of sample adolescents had an average level of metacognition with a preference for Visual and Kinaesthetic leaming style.

Keywords

Metacognition, Learning Styles, Rural Adolescents.

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Satinder Kaur ¹, Deepika Vig ¹, Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to explore the mental health status of rural and urban adolescents with selfie addition. The total sample composed of 360 adolescents studying in 10th, 11th and 12th standard from rural and urban schools of Ludhiana district identified with different levels of selfie addiction and equally divided across two locales i.e. rural and urban. Self-structured Selfie Addiction checklist and Mental Health Battery (Singh & Gupta, 2000) was used to collect the data. The combined picture of mental health status of rural and urban adolescents showed that adolescents with chronic level of selfie addiction were having poor mental health status which indicates that they were having issues with certain aspects of mental health. The results indicated that within borderline and acute level of selfie addiction, urban adolescents had better mental health as compared to rural adolescents. It was found that all the rural urban adolescents with chrome selfie addiction were found to have low level of mental health. It was further found that as the seventy of selfie addiction increased from borderline to acute the percentage of adolescents with high intelligence decreased. Urban adolescents were having better emotional stability than rural adolescents whereas rural adolescents were having better intelligence than their urban counterparts. Urban adolescents were more independent, self-determined in thinking and had greater sense of security as compared to rural adolescents.

Keywords

Adolescents, Selfie Addiction, Self-Esteem.

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Hijam Laxmi Chanu ¹, Deepika Vig ¹, Sarita Saini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development & Family Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the impact of intervention programme in remediating visual perception skills of urban school children with poor handwriting. The total sample consisted of 60 children of grade 3 from the public schools of Ludhiana city with average or above average intellectual abilities. Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (Raven, 1965) was used to assess the intellectual abilities of the children. Occupational Therapy Screening Test (Lilley, 2006) Set A and Set B were used to assess handwriting and different sub-skills of visual perception respectively. An individualized need-based remedial intervention programme based on multisensory, visuo-motor integration and cognitive approaches was developed to improve handwriting legibility of children. Efficacy of the developed programme was assessed by comparing pre and post-intervention scores of the children. Pre-intervention scores revealed that more than half of the children with poor handwriting skills were found to have poor visual perception followed by average and good level. However, after intervention, significant improvement was found in this skill. The results also revealed that before intervention, out of all the sub-skills of visual perception 'Visual Motor Integration' followed by 'Visual Discrimination' were found to be the poorest among such children. However, after receiving intervention, these sub-skills became the strongest skills of such children. It was further found that significant improvement in the mean scores of children was observed during post-intervention assessment across all the levels and sub-skills of visual perception.

Keywords

Visual Perception, Visual Discrimination, Visual Motor Integration, Intervention.

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Parvinder Kaur ¹, Sarita Saini ¹, Deepika Vig ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The present study intends to investigate the interplay among metacognition, learning environment and selfregulation as determinant of adolescent academic achievement. Metacognition, self-regulation and favourable learning environment are being acknowledged to have potential impact on the academic achievement of learners. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate these components in educational context and explore their contribution towards the academic performance of adolescents. The statistical population of this research consisted of 400 respondents (equally distributed over gender & locale) drawn trom randomly selected Government Senior Secondary Schools of urban and rural areas ofLudhiana and Moga districts ofPunjab. Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (Schraw & Dennison, 1994); Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (Rolf et al., 1997); and Self-Regulation Questionnaire (Brown et al., 1999) were used to collect the relevant information from the respondents as per the objectives of the study. The results revealed that metacognition, self-regulation and perceptions pertaining to overall learning environment were significantly positively contributing towards the academic achievement of respondents.

Keywords

Adolescents, Academic Achievement, Learning Environment, Metacognition, Self-Regulation.

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Parul Kalia ¹, Sarita Saini ¹, Deepika Vig ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Community Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Family caregivers have played an important role in our society for granting care to the aged. They are playing crucial role in our care system by providing a significant quantity of health and long-term care for the aged person, chronically ill and disabled. The act of care-giving is not an easy task and can become more tedious when one is caring for a family member who is solely depending on the primary caregiver for everything. This situation could be the reason for many challenges which can affect the quality of life of the primary caregivers. The present research has made an attempt to assess the burden of stress among the family caregivers across varying stages of adulthood who were primarily responsible for care of dependent elderly. The sample included 60 families of primary caregivers who were taking care of the dependent elderly in their family from the Ludhiana city. The Zarit Burden Interview developed by Zarit et al. (1980) was used to measure the burden of stress on caregivers. The results reflected a major proportion of primary caregivers experiencing severe level of stress along with statistically significant differences between primary caregivers of young and middle adulthood stage.

Keywords

Primary Caregivers, Caregiver Burden, Dependent Elderly.

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