Informatics Publishing Limited

Suresh Lukose ¹, E. P. Abdul Azeez ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Social Work, Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan, IN
2 Community Mental Health Programme, Palakkad District, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Nurses are identified as one of the professional groups with high level of job related stress and related issues. The magnitude of the problem this segment faces is very intensive as a large number of them are women. They are victimised for multiple roles in the home and hospital. Stressors for nurses are always been identified with workload, dual role and pressures which are associated with demands of the existing working environment. The nature of illness/diseases a nurse dealing with has significant effects on the stress and mental health level. Healthcare professionals dealing with psychiatric illness and other chronic/traumatic conditions faces more stress while comparing to the other domains of healthcare. The present study is a cross sectional hospital based study carried out at four centres and 100 samples were collected by judgmental sampling method which consisted of 50 female nursing staff from general hospital and same number from psychiatric hospitals. A socio-demographic data sheet along with General Health Questionnaire was administered and those who have satisfactory health have been considered as further samples. Mental health, stress level, and attitude towards mental illness were analysed. The results shows that psychiatric nursing staff scored higher in overall occupational stress index and in the subs-domains of role overload, role ambiguity, role conflict, role unreasonable group and political pressure compared to general nursing staff. Also the mental health inventory total score is negatively correlated with role overload sub- domain of occupational stress index scale. Present study implicates the need of comprehensive psycho-social management plans for the professionals working in psychiatric hospitals.

Keywords

Mental Health, Occupational Stress, Community Attitude, General Nurses and Psychiatric Nurses.

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Aravind E. Raj ¹, Janaki Ramam ¹, Prathwiraj Bajpe ¹, Suresh Lukose ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Psychosocial competency is strength and ability to deal effectively with demands and challenges of everyday life. It plays an important role towards the overall development of human being. Schools are significant social institution for children's psychosocial development as it's assumed that schools environment is favorable to the social and emotional growth of children. Rural children in India mostly attend government schools where group harmony and interdependence are strongly encouraged but individualistic values may experience more difficulties in social interaction; as a result they may feel frustrated and develop attitude towards others and self. The current study aims at understanding the effectiveness of psychosocial competence programme conducted in rural school as part of community mental health program of NIMHANS, Bengaluru. 172 students of class 6th, 7th and 8th from seven rural government schools participated in the program. Psychosocial competence programme on nine different themes was conducted using participatory methodology. Feedback was collected from students about their learnings in each session. The learnings were quantified as appropriate and in appropriate responses to discuss the results. Majority of children were from lower socio-economic background. Mean percentage of appropriate responses of children about each session ranged from 50.71% to 78.2. Female children were consistent in attending the sessions. The mean percentage of appropriate responses were significantly higher among the children who attended more than 7 sessions compared to children who attended less than seven sessions. Significant difference (p< .05) was found in appropriate responses and strength of the class. Development of psychosocial competencies is multidimensional in nature. Well-structured, well planned and well implemented school based intervention programmes would lead to significant improvement in psychosocial development of children.

Keywords

Psychosocial Competency, School Based Intervention Programmes, Rural Children.

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