IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review

Nini Tadu ¹, D. Barani Ganth ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, IN

Abstract

Crisis helpline volunteers are individuals who offer telephone counseling service to people in psychological distress and have a strong suicidal ideation and urge. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences of crisis helpline volunteers who provides emotional support to person in distress and how this form of service has influenced their life. Nine crisis helpline volunteers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and data were analyzed qualitatively. Analysis of the interview yielded four major themes about volunteers 'experiences. They include characteristics of the callers and how they handle them, role of the organization in training and provide support for managing any negative emotions, subjective experiences as helpline volunteer, motivating factors which includes their personality characteristic, social service commitment, positive feedback. The volunteers are strongly driven by their sense of social commitment and desire to help persons in distress. They felt competent enough about themselves in providing crisis intervention, and they strictly adhere to the policy of confidentiality of the callers. Though they reported feeling distress after listening to the callers during their initial days, but with experience they have learnt to cope and manage their emotions. Working as a helpline volunteers have broaden their thought, increased their ability of problem solving in life and given them a sense of personal growth.

Keywords

Crisis, Crisis Helpline, Crisis Helpline Volunteer.

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D. Barani Ganth ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, IN

Abstract

The study aimed at understanding the variables associated with romantic relationship in unmarried youth. A sample of 453 students in the age range of 18-24 from two south Indian universities participated in the study. A survey was conducted among the participants using tools on personality, social influence on romantic relationship, interpersonal attraction, romantic inclination and socio-demographic and relationship status. Analysis of the data revealed that male students were more romantically inclined than female counterpart did. Students who had experienced a romantic relationship (Lovers) had more romantic inclination than those who had not experienced a relationship (Non-lovers). Lovers and non-lovers did not differ in their personality factors and interpersonal attraction. Lovers scored higher on media and peer group influence on romantic relationship than non-lovers. Romantic inclination was significantly related to personality factors, media and peer influences on romantic relationships and interpersonal attraction. Analysis of data using Structural Equation Modeling indicated that, personality, media influence and peer influence had a significant effect on romantic inclination. Romantic inclination in turn significantly predicted love status of youth.

Keywords

Romantic Relationship, Interpersonal Attraction, Romantic Inclination, Structural Equations Modelling (SEM).

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