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Swati Jain ¹, Surbhi Kumar ², Swati Jain ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, University of Delhi, Delhi, IN
2 Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, Delhi, IN
3 S.C.D.A.V., Noida, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

With the increased life expectancies, changing demographics, India's elderly population is at the highest ever 8.1% of total population, making it imperative for both policy makers and practitioners to be concerned with the well-being of the elderly and their successful ageing. An active life, positive interpersonal relationships, positive engagement and continued employment are markers of successful ageing and high psychological well-being. The present study investigates the effect of post retirement work involvement (paid or voluntary) on mental health of retired individuals. The sample consisted of 68 retirees out of which 34 were working and 34 were non-working post retirement and they were assessed using the Mental Health Inventory (MHI; Veit & Ware, 1983) with two global scales of Psychological Well-being (PWB) and Psychological Distress (PD) and a global Mental Health Index (MHI). The effect of post retirement work involvement on subscales of general positive affect, emotional ties, life satisfaction, anxiety, depression and loss of behavioural/emotional control was also measured. Significant differences were seen in the mental health, psychological well-being and psychological distress of the two groups along with the differences in the subscales. These insights can be used for enhancing the mental well-being of the retirees through continued life engagement post retirement.

Keywords

Distress, Elderly, Late Life Engagement, Psychological Well-Being, Retirement.

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Surbhi Kumar ¹

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

Abstract

The focus of the present study is to look at alternative paradigms to understand development of adolescents. Although adolescents make up about 20 per cent of the world's population, they have traditionally been neglected as a distinct target group. In the western framework, adolescence has been described as a period of "storm and stress" fraught by conflicts with parents, mood disruption including extreme emotions, increased substance abuse, heavy reliance on peers and vulnerability to peer pressure and risky behaviour and therefore adolescents as problems. Indian Psychology has grown as discipline offering the approach to growth of self and others and a refreshing change of ideology from focussing on the problem to focussing on the possible alternatives. Through analysis of 9 verses of Bhagavad Gita or the "Song of the Divine One", a guide for adolescents has been formulated to fill in the lacunae that western psychology has failed to address. This study attempts to move in the direction of guidance that is from "this is wrong" to "this is right" such it helps them have a better understanding of their being and facilitate well-being in this difficult age.

Keywords

Adolescence, Development, Western Psychology, Indian Psychology, Bhagavad Gita.

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Surbhi Kumar ¹, Anavila Lochan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, Delhi, IN
2 Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

Peace psychology is still an emerging domain on the larger sphere of psychology. The present paper tries to locate peace in psychology and education as it is gaining momentum in the research paradigm given the backdrop of increased violent and terrorist activities. Peace building and peacemaking are strategies that can be learned and thus including the concept of peace in the modem day pedagogical systems can prove to be very instrumental to come up with alternatives to conflicts at both individual and societal levels. We have further tried to evaluate and make some suggestions for peace education curriculum conceptualizing it in the Indian settings through a Gandhian perspective.

Keywords

Peace Psychology, Peace Education Curriculum, Gandhian Perspective.

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Surbhi Kumar ¹

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

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to garner a holistic understanding about the prevalence of myths of old age from the perspectives of both the young and the old. A sample of 40 participants (20 young, 20 old) was selected using purposive sampling keeping in mind the family structure joint v/s nuclear. Using a semi structured questionnaire, the participants (both male & female) were asked to reflect on 8 popular myths of old age like "To be Old is to be Sick" and their responses were analysed thematically and comparatively keeping the demographic variables in mind. The results indicate that the two age groups differ in many ways especially in the way they rationalize the old age. Further the type of family system joint or nuclear also has repercussions in the understandings that are created about the reality of old age, making space for myths and stereotypes. Such an exploration of persisting myths allows for breaking the ageist stereotypes and bringing about reform in public policy and gerontological education and creating useful interventions for the ageing workforce.

Keywords

Ageing, Myths, Reality, Young, Old, Gender, Family Structure.

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