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Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

Stress is defined as a state of threatened or perceived by the individual as threatened homeostasis and it is reestablished by a complex repertoire of behavioural and physiologic adaptive responses of the organism. According to the World Health Organization, stress is a significant problem of our times and affects both physical as well as the mental health of people. Stress is defined as a situation where the organism's homeostasis is threatened or the organism perceives a situation as threatening. Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. Stress coping methods are the cognitive, behavioral and psychological efforts to deal with stress. After a thorough literature review, the following techniques were identified and are presented and briefly discussed here: progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, relaxation response, biofeedback, emotional freedom technique, guided imagery, diaphragmatic breathing, transcendental meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction and emotional freedom technique. These are all evidence-based techniques, easy to learn and practice, with good results in individuals with good health or with a disease.

Keywords

Stress, Stress Management Techniques, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

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Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

Depression is one of the most costly and debilitating medical conditions afflicting our society. The present study attempted to find out the relationship of depression with different dimensions of family environment among undergraduate college students. The study also compared male and female college students on depression and different dimensions of family environment. The sample consisted of 50 male and 50 female undergraduate college students in the age range of 18 to 23 years. Beck Depression Inventory-II and Family Environment Scale were used to collect data from the participants (N=100). The results obtained showed that depression was negatively correlated with cohesion (-0.63), expressiveness (-0.66) and independence (-0.73) dimensions of family environment and no significant gender difference was found on depression. Undergraduate male and female college students did not differ significantly on all the seven dimensions of family environment except Control dimension. Various risk factors have been linked to depression in adolescents like family environment, personality type, self-concept and genetic factors along with stressful events. The reasons may be different but it mostly related with the family issues which affect adolescents. Lack of communication between the children and parents may also lead to the depression because the child cannot share what is going on in his/ her life. When faced with decisions or crises, healthy families involve all family members to come to solution for the mutual good. Conflicts are settled through rational discussion and compromise instead of open hostility and conflicts. The more cohesive families develop better bonds among family members and cause less depression.

Keywords

Depression, Family Environment, College Students, Cohesion, Independence.

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Anjana Prusty ¹, Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate mental health in relation to personality traits of school going adolescents from urban slums of Bhubaneswar, India. There are approximately 1 billion slum dwellers in the world, and projected to grow to 1.4 billion by the year 2020. Research demonstrates that children and adolescents living in slums shoulder a poor mental health and disturbed personality compared to their adult counterparts. The present study intends to get a holistic picture of the personality patterns and mental health status of school going adolescent boys and girls from urban slum areas aged 16-19 years. 60 senior secondary students (30 boys and 30 girls) from two urban slum areas of Bhubaneswar, Odisha studying in two Government Colleges (B.J.P Autonomous College and Ramadevi Women's College of Bhubaneswar) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha were selected for data collection. Mental Health Battery short form MHB-SS and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) were selected for collection of data. Overall mental health has negative and significant relationship with psychoticism which shows that since majority of the adolescents have good mental health. However, adolescent boys and girls did not differ significantly on various dimensions of mental health and personality. Policy makers in field of mental health should ensure that there is adequate and proper mental health services for those having indications of mental health problems in school going adolescents from urban slums. The results have an implication for future research.

Keywords

Urban Slum, Mental Health, Personality, Adolescents, Psychoticism.

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Satyananda Panda ¹, Madhuparna Mandal ¹, Rajashree Barman ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

Transition of students from school environment to university environment could cause a psychological, academic and social shock to them, since this educational system has huge differences: the student will face new methods of teaching, academic requirements, type of relations between students and faculties and even relations among students themselves. The study aimed to understand the factors of stress experienced by university students. A qualitative approach has been undertaken to assess students' stress. The sample consisted of 60 students (thirty male and thirty female students) from different streams of Sikkim University were selected. In-depth interview was used to assess the factors of stress among university students. The interview assesses the perceived factors of stress of the university students arising from four dimensions of their academic life. Participants' responds were evaluated and analyzed. Data was analyzed in terms of intrapersonal, interpersonal, academic and environmental factors and it was found that males go through intrapersonal stress more than females' i.e. 21.6% while females go through academic stress more than males', i.e., 16.6%. It was also found that students of science stream suffer from academic factor of stress 18.3% and the students of arts stream suffer from interpersonal factor of stress i.e. 16.6%. This is because the males tend to take stress for the self being and simultaneously for the future, neglecting the academic stress or performance unlike the females. The female students seem to be stressed often for their academic pressure and performance. It is important to reduce stress among the students to strengthen their coping resources to perform well in every mean of catharsis of life. This could be achieved if a counseling centre is provided at the institutions. Sometimes, a general counseling session often helps to get rid of the sufferings. Besides, extra-curricular activities can also help to reduce stress levels among the students simultaneously with the studies.

Keywords

Stress, Academic, Environmental, University Students.

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Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

The family is the primary unit of the society to take care the material, physical and emotional needs of people. A good family environment leads to better well-being of the off-springs and endows them with better mental health. The present study was undertaken to examine the relationship between family environment and mental health of undergraduate university students. In this study, 60 participants (30 male and 30 female) of undergraduate university students were selected through disproportionate sampling procedure. The participants were assessed by using Family Environment Scale (FES) and Mental Health Battery (MHB) questionnaires. Data was analysed in terms of mean, standard deviation, t-test and coefficient of correlation. The statistical analysis revealed that there existed no significant relationship between any of the variables of family environment and mental health of undergraduate university students. Results indicated that there was significant gender difference among undergraduate university students on acceptance and caring as well as on intelligence. There also existed significant gender difference among them on the score of overall family environment. However, no significant gender difference was observed on other dimensions of mental health among undergraduate university students. Moderate to high degree mean scores of undergraduate university students can be observed on family environment subscales like cohesiveness, conflict, acceptance and caring; and also on adjustment dimension of mental health. The findings of the study will help to understand the role of family environment to enable the undergraduate university students to cope with the challenges that arise in these critical transitional periods. The study will suggest suitable measures to strengthen the mental health of undergraduate university students.

Keywords

Family Environment, Mental Health, Undergraduate Students, Conflict, Autonomy.

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Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuro developmental psychiatric disorder in which there are significant problems with attentional and inhibitory control that cause attention deficits, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness which is not appropriate for a person's age.It's normal for children to occasionally forget their homework, daydream during class, act without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner table. But inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD), which can affect your child's ability to learn and get along with others. The first step to addressing the problem is to recognize the signs and symptoms. Psychological interventions for ADHD include a range of cognitive behavioural approaches, including behavioural interventions and parent training, cognitive training and social skills training. The behavoiural approaches involve the use of rewards or reinforcers that are judged likely to encourage the young person to implement targeted changes in motor, impulse or attentional control. Parent training is a behaviour therapy intervention in that it teaches the parents to use behaviour therapy techniques with their child. Self-instructional training is probably the most commonly used cognitive therapeutic approach in the psychological treatment of ADHD-I. It comprises several different techniques, including cognitive modelling, self-evaluation, self-reinforcement and response cost. The aim of providing social skills training is to teach the micro skills of social interaction such as eye contact, smiling and body posture. Parents, schools, and practitioners should not put off beginning effective behavioral treatments for children with ADHD-I.

Keywords

Cognitive Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, Psychosocial, Reinforcement, Inattentive.

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Anjana Prusty ¹, Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

Nursing is, by its very nature, an occupation subject to a high degree of stress. Many nursing tasks are mundane and unrewarding. Many are by normal standards distasteful, even disgusting, others are often degrading; some are simply frightening. Workplace stress has long been recognized as a challenge for the nursing profession. There is limited research exploring the personality characteristics of nurses within clearly defined nursing specialty areas. The present study aimed to compar epersonality trait and stress level of nurses serving in government and private hospitals. The descriptive survey has been used as the research method in this study. The sample of 60 qualified nurses (30 Government and 30 Private Nurses) was selected using random cluster sampling. Data were collected by using Nursing Stress Scale and NEO Five Factor-3 Inventory. Significant differences were found among government and private nurses on various dimensions of stress level like conflict with physician, lack of staff support, conflict with other nurse and supervisor and highly significant differences were found on workload. However, no significant relationship was found between stress and personality traits. No significant difference of different dimensions of personality traits among private and government nurses was found. Results also indicated that all the five personality traits are good predictors for stress as well as among nurses at 0.001 levels. However, no significant relationship between personality characteristics and levels of nursing stress among government and private nurses was found. 76.7% of private nurses reported that they experience medium level stress and only 23.3% of them experience low level of stress. 73.3% government nurses reported that they experience low level stress where as only 26.7% of them experience medium level of stress.

Keywords

Personality, Stress, Nurses, Workload, Conflict.

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Satyananda Panda ¹, Tika Maya Chettri ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to see the existence of anxiety and compare anxiety level among working and non-working mothers. In the present context, there is an ample need to study anxiety in traditional socio-cultural Sikkim's family context, the effect of working condition of mothers in comparison with non-working condition. The employment typically has positive psychological consequences for mothers either as a primary source of well-being or as a buffer against stress. Purposive sampling method was used for this study. Sample consisted of 50 graduate nurses (Working mothers) and 50 graduate housewives (non-working mothers). State-Trait Anxiety Test (STAT) developed by Vohra was used to assess the level of state and trait anxiety among working and non-working mothers. Participants' scores were evaluated and analyzed and it was found that there is high level of anxiety (both state and trait) among working and non-working mothers. However, there exists no significant differences in anxiety level between working and non-working mothers (P < 0·05). It is high time that we realize that there is necessity of making work environment less stressful and more comfortable.

Keywords

Working Mothers, Non-Working Mothers, Housewives, Anxiety, Nurses.

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Shinchel Lingzerpa ¹, Satyananda Panda ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, IN

Abstract

Although Sikkim is known to be one of the most peaceful states in India, there are various issues that have gripped the state. One such issue is the rampant use of alcohol and other substances. The present study explored the possible causes and consequences of substance abuse in Sikkim by using qualitative research approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 17 individuals 10 male in-patients from Sikkim diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), 3 physicians and 2 counsellors dealing with patients with SUD, and 2 first-degree relatives of in-patients suffering from SUD. Results showed that majority of the male in-patients (80%) were indulged in multiple substances. The most common causes for initiation of substances as reported by in-patients, relatives, physicians, and counsellors were: enjoyment, curiosity, relieving stress, drinking culture, and easy availability. They also reported that the consumption of substances led to academic, financial, social and behavioural problems, along with deterioration of health, psychological problems like low self-confidence, isolation and increased sadness. Physicians and counsellors also reported that the majority of the patients seeking treatment also had a family history of SUD. They also reported that the most common reasons for wanting to quit the substances are deteriorating health and wanting to rebuild trust and relationships. The findings of the research suggest that there is an urgent need to conduct a thorough research on trends of substance use in Sikkim and to develop suitable intervention strategies to reduce the increasing rate of Substance Use Disorders in Sikkim.

Keywords

Substance, Cannabis, Alcohol, Health, Self-Confidence, Suicide.

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