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Coping Strategies as Predictors of Perceived Stress among Nursing Staff in Critical Care Units in Pakistan
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate the predictive association of coping strategies (i.e., problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance-focused) with the perceived stress among nursing staff in critical units in Pakistan. Nursing staff from critical care units were recruited from tertiary hospitals in Karachi through purposive sampling. They were aged between 20 and 45 years. The Brief Cope Scale and Perceived Stress Scale were used for the data collection. Findings indicate that coping strategies significantly predicted perceived stress among nurses working in critical care units. Emotion-focused coping emerged as the strongest predictor of perceived stress. Similarly, problem-focused coping also showed a significant association with perceived stress, indicating that greater reliance on problem-focused coping predicted increased perceived stress. Furthermore, avoidant coping demonstrated a significant positive relationship with perceived stress. Results underscore the significant and crucial role of coping strategies among nurses in critical care units. Findings reflect that coping is not uniformly adaptive, and the context of the settings could limit the effectiveness of problem-focused solutions. This suggests that how nurses cope substantially influences their stress levels in demanding healthcare settings, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions
Perceived Social Support, Psychological Well-Being and Life Satisfaction of Parents Dealing with Special Needs Children
Get PDFThis study examined how the psychological well-being and life satisfaction of parents of children with special needs are affected by their perceived social support. This study used a quantitative technique and a correlational research strategy. Data from the targeted group, including parents of children with special needs in Abbottabad and Bannu, were collected using a survey approach. The sample was designed using a purposive sampling technique. Along with demographic information, data were collected on the self-reported measures, including Ryff\u27s Psychological Well-being Scale, Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. The study results showed that life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and perceived social support were all positively correlated. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the factors influencing perceived social support. The findings also revealed that life satisfaction and psychological well-being positively correlate with perceived social support. The results also publicised significant gender-based group differences. In addition to the study\u27s limitations, these findings could develop support networks, policy advocacy, and access to mental health care services, encouraging community engagement, training professionals, utilisation of technology, education, and training programs for parents with special children
Quantification Assay of Diabetic Drug Sitagliptin in Pharmaceutical Preparations: A Review
Get PDFThe diabetic drug Sitagliptin (STG) is a hypoglycemic drug of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) inhibitor. The new therapeutic action by DPP-4 inhibitors depends on the decrease of the glucagon levels and stimulates glucose-dependent insulin release. This is done through inhibition of the inactivation of incretins, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), thereby improving glycemic control. Quantification Assay of STG in pharmaceutical preparations is one of the researchers\u27 interests because of its importance in the manufacturing of drugs, quality control of the dosage forms, and the accuracy in determining the dose. However, in biological fluids, determination of the drugs is of greater importance, as monitoring the drug, studying its pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, potency, the chemical and biological actions of the drugs and their metabolites in the body. This is a review of STG, its properties, action, and methods of determination
“You Look So Pretty” to “Buzz Off!”: An Intercultural Study of Compliments and Compliment Responses
Get PDFThe current study aims to discover variations in complimenting and complimenting responses between Arabs (Syrians) and Non-Arabs (Pakistanis) who have different L1s and speak English as L2 during their interactions at their workplace in Syria. The data was collected by administering a DCT containing 04 hypothetical situations or scenarios. The situations in these DCTs are based on 04 themes: 1) appearance; 2) skill; 3) possession; and 4) character. For this purpose, the DCTs were adapted from Yuan (2002) and tailored according to the situation required in the current study. The data reveals that among Pakistani L2 speakers of English, 60% of the compliments are explicit and 37.5% are implicit. Moreover, interjections brought a slight change in the syntactic structure of compliments. Interjections co-occurred with syntactic formulas as 30% of the Syrian compliments and 24% of Pakistani compliments. The data collected in respect of Syrians reveals that 82.5% of the compliments are explicit and 15% are implicit. Likewise, in compliment responses, Syrians and Pakistanis respond to compliments either using the Token of acceptance (Thanks), shifting credit, downgrading, reciprocating or using a combination of these semantic strategies. The current study was instrumental in bringing Pakistanis’ way of complimenting, from an intercultural perspective to the fore in the world of pragmatic research
Implementation of Task-Based Learning Approach in ESP Classroom: Students and Teachers’ Perspectives
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore the effect and benefits of the Task-Based Learning (TBL) approach in the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) classroom. To continue the process, the data were gathered using a mixed-methods research approach. The data was collected through a non-probability sampling technique. Primarily, the survey questionnaire was adapted and modified to perceive the students’ experience of TBL. The target population was four hundred and fifty undergraduate students; three hundred and fifty students were the sample for the study. Secondly, to record the effects on the development and understanding of language learning skills. Lastly, thirteen instructors participated in semi-structured interviews to evaluate the impact of their teaching pedagogy on the TBL in their classrooms. The purpose of the semi-structured interviews was to highlight the advantages of the TBL on language learning skills. The results indicated that the teachers and students shared similar opinions on the efficacy of TBL. According to their responses, TBL has developed an energetic, dynamic, engaging atmosphere for the language learning process. TBL enhanced the chances of collaborative learning and opportunities for the students to boost self-confidence. And the multiple activities, such as puzzles, think-pair-share, and problem-based situations, made the teaching and learning an engaging process
The Potential of Social Commerce for Small Fashion Businesses in Pakistan: A Case Study Approach
Get PDFThis study explores the potential of using social commerce as an alternative to e-commerce, focusing on fashion businesses in Pakistan. Despite gaining popularity amongst small businesses, the use and implications of the new form of online business model, “Social Commerce” for small fashion businesses, are largely unknown in Pakistan. Qualitative data were collected from six fashion case businesses using in-depth interviews as a data collection method. The data obtained was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed that small fashion businesses in Pakistan can significantly benefit from using Social Commerce, as it can help overcome the limitations of e-commerce while enhancing the advantages of building relationships with customers through integrating social aspects in commerce-related activities. This study provides a unique perspective on the adoption of social commerce among small fashion businesses in Pakistan, showcasing it as an alternative to traditional e-commerce. Utilising the social support theory, the findings emphasise the importance of social support in cultivating customer relationships
Mediating Effect of Anxiety on the Relationship Between Depression and Indecisiveness Through Graphological Emotional Indicators
Get PDFDepression, anxiety, and indecisiveness are the intercorrelated psychological aspects. They strongly affect the overall well-being of a person (physically and psychologically). This quantitative study aimed to examine the mediating role of anxiety on the relationship between depression and indecisiveness through graphological indicators by giving the importance of graphology in the field of mental health. It was hypothesized that anxiety would mediate the relationship between depression and indecisiveness via graphological indicators. Eighty-nine participants, with ages ranging from 19 to 38 years old, were recruited as a sample of the study through convenient sampling. A list of graphological indicators from the graphological manuals and books has been prepared to measure Depression, Anxiety, and Indecisiveness. The analysed data revealed a significant positive relationship between anxiety, depression, and indecisiveness. Further, it has been revealed that anxiety and depression positively predicted indecisiveness. Hence, it proved the mediating role of anxiety on the relationship between depression and indecisiveness via graphological indicators. Handwriting analysis, being a promising field in mental health, faces challenges that need to be targeted to develop more clear and objective tools of graphological indicators
Empirical Analysis of Factors Affecting Inflation: A Case of Pakistan
Get PDFThis study explored the relationship between foreign exchange & inflation for the period from 2000 to 2023. During this period, the Pakistani economy faced different periods of economic growth as well as recession. Particularly the global financial crisis from 2008 and the COVID-19 period which started in 2019 and still it shocks are still being realized by Pakistan\u27s economy. In this study, we have focused on the relationship among the underlying factors like exchange rate, interest rate, import, export, and COVID-19 as the possible factors affecting inflation. The results of this study the independent variables show the exchange rate shows a significant relationship with inflation except the exchange rate. The interest rate shows a significant relationship with the interest rate 10 per cent significance level. The imports show a positive significant relationship with the dependent variable at a 5 per cent significant level. The exports show a negative relationship with inflation at a 5 per cent significant level. Therefore, it is pertinent to suggest that in order to control inflation the dependence on costly imports should be reduced while the exports should be encouraged so that the resulting increase in foreign exchange would reduce the inflation in the country. Similarly, the central bank can play its role slash the interest rates to control the inflation in the country
Exploring the Effect of School-Based Communities of Practice on the Moral Climate of Schools
Get PDFThis study examines how School-Based Communities of Practice (SBCoP) contribute to fostering a moral climate within schools, with a focus on transforming schools into learning organisations. Recognising a gap in prior research that largely excluded teachers\u27 perspectives on moral climate, the study employed action research methodology to explore this underrepresented viewpoint. Two public sector schools in Pakistan were purposively selected, and a three-cycle action research model was implemented involving school heads and selected teachers. Data was collected through interviews, observations, reflection journals, and meeting minutes, and analysed thematically. Findings reveal that SBCoP enhanced ethical behaviour, collaborative learning, and reflective practices among educators, despite initial resistance and hierarchical dependencies. Teachers began demonstrating greater collegiality, and school heads developed a clearer understanding of ethical leadership. The study also uncovered the urgent need for professional development and structured mentorship for school heads and teachers. The research concludes that SBCoP, supported by ethical leadership and professional learning structures, is a powerful mechanism to revitalise the moral and collaborative culture of schools. It recommends policy-level support for SBCoP implementation, integration of moral education into professional training, and expansion of this model to varied educational contexts
Impact of Teacher Expectations on Students’ Behaviour and their Academic Performance
Get PDFThis research aimed to explain the impact of teacher expectations on students’ behaviour and their academic performance, which has been studied for many years. The study focuses on the role of teachers, who play a significant part in student learning and psychological development. The study aimed to explore teachers\u27 roles and expectations about a child\u27s psychological development and how it affects their behaviour and academic performance. This was a qualitative explanatory research study, and it was used as the methodology. The research study used a purposive sampling method through open-ended semi-structured interviews, exploring ten questions (five questions were used for parents and five for teachers), focusing on 10 participants (five parents of primary level students and teachers teaching grade 1.) for their opinion on the expectations of teachers and its impact on the child\u27s behaviour and academic performance. Feedback from the interviews showed different opinions and ideas from both groups. Since each child has unique abilities and a different learning style, the study recommends that teachers mentor each student, especially the struggling ones, to outgrow their current potential. Crucial to this intervention is to raise teacher expectations that have a direct and immediate effect on the psyche and motivation of a student and, hence, his performance in academics