Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work
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Psychosocial Needs of the Families with a Person with First Episode Psychosis
Get PDFBackground: The people who experience psychotic symptoms first time can be frightening for them and their close family members. It is crucial to provide family support and care to persons with first episode psychosis. Aim: To assess the needs of family members presenting to a tertiary care centre. Methods: Cross-sectional outpatient based study design was adapted to collect data from the family members of persons with first episode psychosis presented to a tertiary care centre. Total 60 family members were randomly selected for the study and assessed for the burden, attitude, ways of coping and quality of life. Results: Study results indicate the high burden; it has noted that high negative expressed emotions among family members. Negative coping styles were also found and the family members and having a poor quality of life. Conclusion: First episode of psychosis can traumatizing to the patients and their family members. Family members can experience the burden of caregiving including financial burden, can have faulty ways of coping and negative expressed emotions towards their own wards having psychosis which can lead to poor treatment outcome. Findings indicated that need to provide psychosocial intervention for family members of persons with first episode psychosis.
Keyword: Family, psychosocial intervention, needs, first episode psychosis, expressed emotions, burde
Burden and Marital Satisfaction among the Spouses of Persons with Depression
Get PDFBackground: Depression is a very common psychiatric disorder. The burden on the spouse of a depressed individual is considered to be a multi-dimensional problem and is seen in the context of its emotional, psychological, physical and economic consequences. The depressed individual’s aversive interpersonal behaviours may lead spouses to experience depression and problems in marital adjustment. Aim: To study and compare the burden and marital satisfaction among male and female spouses of patients suffering from depression. Materials & Methods: Spouses of patients were inducted from those attending the Department of Psychiatry of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, India with their partners. A total of 60 spouses of patients with ICD-10 diagnosis of depression fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Consecutive sampling was used for data collection. Participants were divided into two groups i.e. Male and Female. Zarit Burden Interview and Marital Satisfaction Scale were used to assess the burden and marital satisfaction respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in burden and marital satisfaction between the two genders which means both the groups are equally vulnerable and prone to develop psychiatric problems like stress, anxiety, depression. Conclusion: Considering the findings, both groups have an equal need to cater to care giving and related responsibilities. The study can be useful in implementing programs to help the spouses and cater the needs of care giving, to handle the burden productively associated with the care giving of their depressed partners, to strengthen their coping and to have a better marital life.
Keywords: Depression, burden, marital satisfactio
Application of Motivational Enhancement Therapy in Group settings among Patients with Substance Abuse
Get PDFBackground: Substance abuse is defined as the use of a drug or any other substance for a non-medical purpose with the aim of producing some type of "mind-altering "effect in the users. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a systematic intervention approach for evoking change. It is based on principles of motivational psychology and is designed to produce rapid and internal motivation. Aims: The present study aims to assess and compare desire to quit substance use among substance users and the effectiveness of Motivation Enhancement Therapy on the desire to quit substance use in an experimental group. Sample and Sampling: A total number of 70 participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. The sample comprised of 35 from inpatient unit and 35 from the out-patient department of psychiatry, Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India. Results and Conclusions: The present study suggests that comprehensive patient-friendly treatments are more effective in increasing the desire to quit substance use than the standard pharmacological treatment. Hence, combining pharmacological treatment with appropriate psychosocial interventions focusing on the specific problem of the patient may provide a better outcome than either one alone. Clinicians can arrange the clinical teaching regarding MET for a larger group at whole including family interventions.
Keywords: Motivation enhancement therapy, substance abus
A Study on School Adjustment and Aggression among Adolescents with and without Hearing Impairment
Get PDFBackground: Adolescence is a stage with tremendous pressure and stress. The ones with disability, especially hearing impaired may feel discouraged from exposing themselves to socially challenging situations, thus producing isolation that leads to depression, irritability and feelings of inferiority. Adolescents as such are under constant pressure to perform at every front, the main one being academics. School adjustment is a procedure that brings a person's behaviour in compliance with the norms of the school. It comprises of educational, social and emotional adjustment. Aim: The present study aims to examine the level of school adjustment and aggression among the adolescent with and without hearing impairment. The gender differences were also examined. Methods and Materials: A total of 60 adolescent (girls and boys) aged 14-18 years were selected for the study. Out of which 30 adolescents had hearing impairment and they were selected from school for deaf and blind and a controlled group of 30 adolescents without hearing impairment were selected from a government school in the same area. They were matched on age and gender. A self-constructed interview schedule was used to collect the socio demographic profile of the respondents. Scale on aggression and Adjustment Inventory for school students were used. Results: The results showed that there were no significant difference in school adjustment among adolescents with and without hearing impairment and also no significant gender differences were found. Adolescent children with hearing impairment were more aggressive in compared to the same age group adolescents without hearing impairment. Boys were more aggressive as compared to girls in both groups. Conclusion: There is a need to address the issues related to aggression among adolescents with hearing impairment specifically adolescent boys through psychosocial interventions to channelize their energy in a positive direction.
Keywords: Aggression, school adjustment, adolescents, hearing impairmen
Insights from Health Care Providers in Dealing with Suicide Attempters in Kashmir: A Preliminary Qualitative Analysis
Get PDFBackground: The Valley of Kashmir has witnessed a growing number of suicides. It is often witnessed that whenever a person attempts or commits suicide, most of the times he/she is bought to the hospital to save his/her life. Thus, the role of health care providers in a hospital setting is very important, as this is the first point of contact with the suicide attempters. In this study, an attempt was made to assess the intervention of health care providers toward suicide attempters in Kashmir. Methodology: In-depth expert interviews were conducted with the 12 healthcare professionals (Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Primary Health Care Physicians) who were involved in the identification; assessment, management, and prevention of suicidal behaviour at an urban general hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir. Purposive sampling method was used based on the availability and willingness of the participants from August to November 2018. Results: The results revealed that the health care providers follow a systematic procedure i.e., prevention, intervention and postvention in dealing with suicide attempters. However, their main focus remains on the intervention within the walls of the hospital setting. Conclusion: The results of the study provides some broad understanding about the role of doctors in the treatment and management of suicide attempters that will go a long way in the management of people attempting suicide in Kashmir.
Keywords: Suicide, health care professionals, prevention, interventio
Efficacy of Psychosocial Intervention on Self-Esteem among Marginalized Children with Special Reference to Devadasis’ Children
No full textBackground: The unique cultural context of Southern India gives rise children of unwed mothers due to the practice of devadasi system - a practice that was followed in various parts of the globe during the barbaric era of dedicating girls to temples. Thousands of children without parental care and children of devadasis in Northern Karnataka were reported psychosocial problems such as poverty, dropout, dedication of girls, poor health & vulnerability for HIV/AIDS etc. This increases the chances of developing poor self esteem among children of devadasis. Aim: To assess and compare the efficacy of a psychosocial intervention to improve the self esteem among children of unwed mothers (devadasis), a single parents children and children having both parents. Methodology: Psychosocial care program consisting of life skills and student enrichment were incorporated with educational services for children attending after school program carried out by the NGO. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 184 children of 10 – 16 years, (62 - children of devadasis, 60- single parent and 62- children with both parents) attending the program in 36 villages of Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India through simple random sampling. Results: The results of the study showed a higher mean for self esteem among children of devadasis, single parents and dual parents with no significant difference between the three groups (df = 2, P>.05). The results confirm a significant increase in the self esteem among children due to psychosocial interventions when compared with the result of a study conducted in a larger geographic area in 2008 of which the current population was a part. Conclusion: The results confirm the efficacy of psychosocial interventions through after-school programs in improving self esteem among children especially among the children of an unwed mother who's vulnerability to develop poor self esteem is higher. Findings of the present study have significance in the implications for social work and social development practice.
Keywords: Psychosocial intervention, self esteem, unwed mothers, devadasi
Biopsychosocial Facets of Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment in Pondicherry: A Preliminary Study
Get PDFBackground: Physical and mental health are interrelated and influenced by various factors. Infertility is a physical condition that impacts the mental health of individuals experiencing it. It is a well-established fact that all over the world millions of couples are affected by infertility. In India many couples are infertile. Discovering that one is infertile is more than just another stressful event in one’s life. Being confronted by failure and helplessness, one feels increasingly anxious and immobilized. Aim: To understand the psychosocial problems faced by women due to infertility. Methodology: A Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Women attending the clinic for treatment of infertility were the respondents. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to obtain the data. Results: Majority of the educated women married at a young age and sought treatment within five years of the marriage. They had menstrual problems and were referred by their families for treatment. Most of them had identified the problems and were into treatment. They were anxious, yet hopeful of success. They experienced problems of stigmatization in their own families and society and desired acceptance. Conclusion: This study highlighted the situation of couples facing infertility and the need for awareness of the condition of infertility. Support for couples by the multidisciplinary team inclusive of the Social Worker through the process of diagnosis and treatment, to maintain their health and mental health as they overcome the challenge of infertility is the need of the hour.
Keywords: Infertility, psychosocial problems, stigm
Levels of Self Esteem and Depression among the Married Employed and Unemployed Woman: A Comparative Study
Get PDFIntroduction: The status of women in the Indian society is now able to lead a more independent lifestyle. But women in Indian society are not completely free from custom due to social structure. An attempt was made to compare certain need related to self-esteem and depression of women who are employed and unemployed. Material and Method: It was a cross-sectional comparative study. Using convenient sampling of fifty samples; 25 participants were the married employed women and 25 married unemployed women were drown from J.P Nagar, Jaya Nagar and Koramangala at Bangalore. Result: Employed women have significantly higher self-esteem than unemployed women and the majority of the in employed women were having less depression than unemployed status. Conclusion: Married women who are not employed outside the home experience poorer self-esteem than employed married women. Some unemployed married women cope better and even find the source of satisfaction in the alternative lifestyles that they adopt but employment outside the home has positive impact on self-esteem of women.
Keywords: Depression, self-esteem, married women, employmen
Anxiety Depression and Quality of Life among Working Married and Unmarried Women: A Comparative Study
Get PDFBackground: Anxiety and depression are the most common problems that we face in our daily life and both affect our quality of life. So, the present study was done to assess and compare anxiety, depression and quality of life among working married and unmarried women. Methods and Materials: Purposive sampling technique was used for recruiting 100 working women (an equal number of married and unmarried), with their informed consent. The tools used for the present study were Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II and WHO Quality of Life-Bref for anxiety, depression and quality of life assessment respectively. Results: Result shows significant differences in the levels of anxiety, depression and quality of life of working married and unmarried women. Conclusion: The present study also concludes that married working women do experience a higher level of anxiety and depression as well as a lower quality of life in comparison to unmarried working women.
Keywords: Anxiety, depression, quality of life, working wome
Distressed Lonely Siblings’ Struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Get PDFBackground: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common and often disabling, psychiatric disorder Earlier it was considered a difficult-to-treat disorder these viewpoints are radically changed in the last three decades as cognitive behavioural therapy (exposure and response prevention therapy), has shown significant results for individuals suffering from OCD. In the present report, two cases of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which happened to be siblings (one male one female), are being reported. In contrast to most other case reports depicted in world literature, the two siblings reported here were living under a roof but couldn’t talk for years. Both felt that their relationship suffered badly through their illness; as both of them were having a distressing sexual obsession of each other, along with other compulsions. The case report illustrated the journey of two distressed and lonely siblings’ struggle with OCD. Assessment & Management: OCD was diagnosed applying the existing criteria for OCD in the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), in addition, Y-BOCS also used to determine the severity of symptoms, pre-treatment and improvement Post-treatment. Therapy was adapted component from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) & exposure and response prevention (ERP) and typically involves 16 to 20 sessions. Outcome: This case report shows that Psychological intervention led to significant symptomatic improvement in the patients discussed. By present findings and understanding of the cases, it is to claim for sure that for successful treatment of OCD psychological treatment must be used.
Keywords: Obsessive compulsive disorder, sexual thoughts, exposure and response preventio