Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Priya Bhatnagar ¹, S. P. K. Jena ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology, university of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

The present paper attempts to review the clinical severity of depression in Eating Disorders (ED). ED involves extreme disturbances and deviations in eating behaviour. Depression as a clinical feature is closely associated with ED pathology. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is characterized by enhanced levels of metacognitive capacities accompanied with a lack of positive beliefs. Aspects of self starvation assimilated with acute body image disturbance results in feeling of self loathing and distress. In the context of Bulimia Nervosa (BN), dysfunctional beliefs regarding weight and shape trigger binge and consequent compensatory behavior, forming the nucleus of the pathology. The vicious binge-purge cycle propelled with low levels of self esteem lead to emotional plunge and helplessness. In both the subtypes of ED, depressive features emerge as a core psychological component although magnitude is viewed to be higher in case of BN. The role of cognition lies common to the aetiology and maintenance of ED as well as depression. Inherent is a person's tendency to make errors in judgment based on cognitive factors amalgamating issues related to self with negative beliefs. In addition, traumatic life events, personality factors such as narcissistic traits, internal locus of control and lack of self serving bias strongly determine the course of eating patterns and gravity of depression. As a result, maladaptive schemas are built towards ownself, world and future. Owing causation to the tilts in cognitive capacities, both the pathologies perhaps operate as cause and effect to each other. Hence it is well concluded that persistence of depression as core symptomatic manifestation is specific to ED pathology. Also, since cognition is of crucial importance in occurrence of ED and depression both, treatment targeting the cognitive dynamics is hypothesized to prove effective. Future research is recommended in the same and related areas.

Keywords

Eating Disorder/ Anorexia Nervosa/ Bulimia Nervosa/depression/ Cognition.

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Vikas Sharma ¹, Gopal Ch. Mahakud ¹, S. P. K. Jena ¹

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

Abstract

Sleep difficulties is a major concern in cancer. Sleep difficulties in cancer patients is multi factorial in nature and consists of physical, and psychosocial aspects. A comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon is needed but still this is largely a neglected area. Management of insomnia among cancer patients using Cognitive and behavioural approaches needs further examination. In this regard the authors of the present article highlighted the psychological aspects related to insomnia in cancer and reviewed relevant studies. Cognitive and behavioral strategies such as sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive therapy etc can be used for the management of insomnia in the context of cancer. Some of the important factors related to insomnia among cancer patients such as anxiety, depression, fatigue and quality of life can be improved by using above mentioned cognitive and behavior strategies. Besides the pharmacological intervention, more studies needs to be conducted emphasizing cognitive and behavioural techniques.

Keywords

Insomnia, Sleep, Cancer, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Sleep Diary.

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Abdul Majeed Bhat ¹, Vikas Sharma ¹, S. P. K. Jena ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, Delhi, IN
2 Department of Applied Psychology, University of Delhi, Delhi, IN

Abstract

Intellectual disability in India is a major challenge which not only limits the capacity of the afflicted individual but at the same time also leads to the parent's vulnerability to stressors. There is considerable evidence to suggest that parents of children with intellectual disability experience greater stress than caregivers of children without intellectual disability. This stress tends to be chronic in nature and therefore persists over substantial period of time. Caring for children with intellectual disabilities drains parent's economic, physical, mental and psychological resources. Behavioural problems which are frequently associated with intellectual disabilities add to the parental stress. The present paper while reviewing current literature highlights the nature of stress experienced by parents of children with intellectual disabilities and its effect on family environment and also demonstrates evidence based intervention strategies for its management. The relationship between the child related characteristics and parental stress are also discussed. The results suggest that there are practical implications of reducing parental stress which will be beneficial for general parent training interventions and also for successful behaviour management programmes for children. There is a need to replicate parental stress management programmes with a more diverse group and long-term follow-up.

Keywords

Parental Stress, Intellectual Disabilities, Stress Management, Behavioural Problems

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Ishhita Gupta ¹, Shefali Thaman ¹, S. P. K. Jena ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

This study is designed to formulate behavioural coding for child behaviours in various observational settings. In order to conduct these studies, an initial behavioural definition was obtained through audiovisual demonstration of child behaviour to a group of potential observers trained in behavioural assessment. Subsequently, a set of index behaviours was identified for the sake of coding. At the next stage of the experiment, these coded behaviours were subjected to recording through time sampling by the above observers. Consequently, an inter-rater reliability assessment was conducted to examine the reliability of their observations across behaviours.

Keywords

Behavioural Coding, Child Behaviours.

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