Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Shoma Chakrawarty ¹, D. Dhanalakshmi ¹

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

Abstract

As chronic and lifestyle illnesses rise sharply, the need to cope with caregiving demands is experienced acutely by an unprecedented number of family caregivers. This study aimed to ascertain the relationship between general health, caregiver strain and perceived social support in the context of informal caregiving. A sample of 45 long-term family caregivers was selected through the purposive sampling technique and caregiver strain, general health and social support were measured. Caregiver strain was measured using the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (Sullivan, 2003), while general health was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg & Hillier, 1978). The level of perceived social support among the participants was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988). The correlation analysis revealed a positive association between caregiver strain and general health and an inverse association between caregiver strain and social support, while the 't' tests revealed that a higher level of education and an employed status were associated with better health outcomes. ANOVA showed a significant difference in the levels of caregiver strain based on the type of illness. In this study, education, employment and social support were found to help caregivers fulfill their demands with fewer adverse effects. The findings highlight the role of evaluating the health and psychological well-being of caregivers and administering necessary interventions to minimize their health risks.

Keywords

Caregiver Strain, Perceived Social Support, General Health, Chronic Diseases.

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M. M. Anila ¹, D. Dhanalakshmi ¹

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

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to analyze the relationship between hope, happiness, general health and well-being among the elderly. The sample consisted of 100 elderly people and that sampling technique used for the present study was convenience sampling. The age of the participants ranged between 60-80 years. The tools used for the study were General Health Questionnaire by Goldberg&Williams, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire by Hills&Argyle, Well-Being Index by World Health Organization (WHO), and Adult Dispositional Hope Scale by Synder. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated and a significant positive correlation was found between happiness and well-being (r= 0.215: p<0.05, n=100). Independent samples 't' test was done in order to find out whether gender differences existed in hope, happiness, general health and well-being of elderly. The result clearly indicates that there is no significant difference between elderly men and women on hope, happiness, general health and well-being. In addition, regression analysis indicates that happiness significantly predicts wellbeing (β=.206, p=.039) among elderly. Perceived happiness helps to improve the mental and physical well-being of the individual and it also influences their interpersonal relationships. Positive activity interventions (PAI) which includes regular practice of gratitude, optimism, kindness and meditation may increase their happiness and therefore well-being.

Keywords

Hope, Happiness, General Health, Well-Being, Elderly

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D. Dhanalakshmi ¹

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

Abstract

Loneliness seems to be one of the major psychological problems experienced by children all over the world. Loneliness can have serious detrimental effects on the physical and psychological well-being not only during childhood, but its consequences seem to have a significant impact on the adjustment of the individual during adolescent and adult years as well. The present study was undertaken to examine the relationship between perceived loneliness, depression, and health among school students as well as to identify if any gender differences existed in these variables. The sample consisted of 120 students (60 boys and 60 girls) aged 15 and 16 years who were randomly selected from schools in Chennai. Perceived loneliness scale by Jha, Depression and Anxiety for Youth Scale by Newcomer and General Health Questionnaire by Goldberg were administered to the students after obtaining permission from the school authorities. Results showed that there exists a significant positive relationship between loneliness and depression (r = 0.278; p < 0.01) and between loneliness and health (r = 0.265; p < 0.01). However, no significant relationship was found between depression and health (r = 0.074). A significant difference was observed between boys and girls in general health (t = 4.866; p < 0.01) with girls reporting more health issues than boys. Regression analysis revealed that perceived loneliness is a significant predictor of health among school students (a = 0.265; t = 2.859; p < 0.01). The findings of this study highlight the importance of the role of psychologists and the need for trained counselors in schools. This would facilitate the early identification and intervention of psychological problems before they impede the optimal development of children.

Keywords

Perceived Loneliness, Depression, Health, School Students.

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D. Dhanalakshmi ¹

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

Abstract

College students are at an augmented risk of not only perceived stress but also cognitive distortion and this can have an unbelievable impact on their health. Sense of coherence seems to be one of the most important ways in which health is perceived in recent years. The present study explored the relationship between perceived stress, cognitive distortion, sense of coherence and general health among college students. The sample consisted of 125 undergraduate college students (62 boys and 63 girls) aged between 18 to 20 years. The sample was selected from different colleges in Chennai. All the participants responded to the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen), Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky), Cognitive Distortion Scale (Briere) and General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg). Bivariate statistics showed that general health was positively related to dimensions of cognitive distortion and perceived stress, while it was negatively associated with sense of coherence (SOC). A gender difference was found wherein girls scored significantly higher on the self- blame and helplessness dimensions of cognitive distortion and also in terms of perceived stress and general health. This clearly indicated that girls perceive more stress and experience more health issues when compared to the boys. Regression analysts revealed that perceived stress is an important predictor of general health. The self-criticism and hopelessness subscales of cognitive distortion emerged to be good predictors of general health in conjunction with certain demographic like age, gender and number of siblings. The results of the study highlight the need to provide college students with appropriate support and guidance through the challenging years of college. This need is more pronounced for girls because they seem to be internalizing their responses to stress. Interventions that channelize their strengths to promote more adaptive ways of coping with stress are imperative.

Keywords

Stress, Sense of Coherence, Cognitive Distortion, Heath, College Students.

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D. Dhanalakshmi ¹

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

Abstract

Nonverbal learning disability (NLD) is a distinct subtype of learning disabilities wherein the child may have average to above average verbal skills, but in conjunction with pronounced visual, motor, social and academic difficulties. This condition occurs in a small percentage of children but presents a significant challenge-one that often becomes more complex with time. Despite these concerns regarding NLD, or NLD as it is commonly known, awareness about it is relatively low. This lack of awareness has led to many children with NLD being unfairly accused of truancy and acting out or being wrongly diagnosed and treated for conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The current paper aimed to provide a detailed theoretical overview of NLD in order to generate awareness about it. The paper provides a detailed overview of this condition, its historical background and its clinical presentation. An elaboration of the biological correlates and their association to the manifested deficits is also provided. Certain basic guidelines for those dealing with children with NLD are provided as well.

Keywords

Nonverbal Learning Disability, Biological Correlates, Children.

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Pavitra Vasudevan ¹, Shoma Chakrawarty ¹, D. Dhanalakshmi ¹

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

Abstract

The study undertook a rare challenge of exploring the protective factors in middle adulthood as most research in this area looks at these factors in the context of the young or the elderly population. The study was armed at exploring the relationship between optimism, health, coping and social support. A sample of hundred middle-aged participants (51 women and 49 men) were surveyed using the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg&Williams, 1978), Life Orientation Test (Carver&Scheier, 1994), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman&Lazarus, 1985) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet, et al, 1988). The results indicated that people with a more optimistic outlook enjoyed better social support and utilized more adaptive coping strategies. There were no gender differences in optimism, social support and general health, although men manifested a tendency to use more escape avoidance and positive reappraisal. Teachers tended to have poorer health outcomes and used more avoidant coping strategies. In the model predicting health, planful problem solving emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by optimism, escape avoidance and social support from a significant other. The study reinforces the value of adaptive coping strategies for the health and wellbeing of individuals under stress. It also highlights the role of personal and social resources like optimism and social support, respectively, in fostering resilience in the face of the stressors of life.

Keywords

Health, Optimism, Social Support, Coping, Middle Adulthood.

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