Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work
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Personal Social Capital and Socio-occupational Function of Persons with Schizophrenia: A Comparative Study
Get PDFBackground: Personal social capital is an individual’s networks and connections between individuals that can provide support which is characterized by reciprocity, trustworthiness and resources. Individual who are excluded from accessing social capital have a higher risk of schizophrenia and may have informal social control. Social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia gets disturbed therefore improving the functioning levels is considered to be an important goal in treating schizophrenia. Aim: To assess and compare personal social capital and socio-occupational functioning of patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 60 individuals (30 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 30 normal population) selected from outpatient department (OPD) of the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi by using purposive sampling method. Positive and negative syndrome scale (for study group) and General health questionnaire (for normal population) applied for screening. Participants who fulfilled inclusion criteria were informed about study and consent was obtained. Socio-demographic and clinical datasheet, Personal Social Capital Scale and socio-occupational functioning scale was administered. Results: Present study shows significant difference in personal social capital and socio-occupational functioning of persons with schizophrenia and normal controls. Conclusion: The patients with schizophrenia hold lower personal social capital and socio-occupational functioning than normal population. Personal social capital and socio-occupational functioning showed significant positive correlation therefore improvement in socio-occupational functioning can help to enhance personal social capital.
Keywords: Schizophrenia, personal social capital, socio-occupational functionin
Identification of Adjustment Issues among Adolescent Girls Studying in Pre-university
Get PDFBackground: Life of adolescent girl is characterized by continual changes, both internal (e.g. physiological, anatomical, and psychological changes) and external (e.g. changes in school, peers, and parenting practices) and therefore this stage is considered to be a very critical transitional stage in a girl’s life with acute crises in which her future is at stake. This study was thus conducted to identify multi-dimensional adjustment issues faced by adolescent girls. Methodology: Total 336 Pre-university girls between the age of 15 to 19 years were selected through purposive sampling from various Girl’s colleges of Mysuru. Results: The results revealed that general personal problems were more apparent in adolescent girls. It was found that 40.77% adolescent girls had problems in concentration, 33% girls had problems of forgetfulness, 32.5 % of girls had problems of anxiety, tension & worries and 23% of girls had reported mood fluctuations. Problems related to academic, society, family, infrastructure and interpersonal relations were also seen, but they were not very high. Thirteen percent of girls had reported the problem of time management and 9% of girls had reported problems related to the infrastructure of the college hostel. Conclusion: The results thus reflect the need to cater to the needs of adolescent girls which are going through excessive biological, social and psychological issues.
Keywords: Personal issues, academic problems, adolescent gir
Service Providers' Perception of Barriers to Access Mental Health Services
Get PDFBackground: The literature shows that mental health services are yet not adequate and whatever is available is underutilized in India. The aim of the study was to identify the available mental health services; barriers to utilize and deliver mental health service and explore the strategies for effective delivery of mental health services. Methodology: The Expert Interview and Key Informant Interview were the methods of data collection. A standardized script for conducting the interviews was developed based on literature review and discussion with experienced qualitative researchers as per the objectives of the study. Results: The main themes identified under the study were - mental health services, services & facilities under District Mental Health Programme, mental health services in primary health centres, barriers to utilizing mental health services, policy-level barriers to provide mental health services, recommendations and suggestions from service providers to improve mental health service system. Conclusion: There are multiple barriers, which need to be addressed effectively. There is a need to create a network among all stakeholders.
Keywords: Mental health service, district mental health programme, Indi
A Study on Frequent Selfie Users and Narcissism among College Students
Get PDFBackground: Selfie a generalized expression for a "self portrait”, has become a fad among today's youth. People love to take and post their selfies even when they are in critical situations or any annoying surroundings. For example, when someone met with an accident, people take pictures, rather than calling ambulance. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the narcissism and selfie users among college students of Coimbatore, India. Materials and Methods: Descriptive design was adapted. Conveniently selected 100 post graduate students were assessed on selfie usage and narcissism. Results: Study found that 67% of the students moderately using selfie and 50% of the students had narcissism. Narcissism had a significant relationship with selfie usage. Conclusion: Study concluded that majority of the college students who were taking selfies and uploading them on social networking sites after editing them had more narcissism. Study recommends that early screening followed by appropriate interventions are required for selfie takers to avoid psychological problems in future.
Keywords: Selfie usage, narcissism, student
Psychiatric Social Work Interventions in Schizophrenia: A Case Report
Get PDFBackground: The chronic mental illnesses constitute substantial difficulties to person affected and the family. The difficulties could arouse due to the symptoms, functional disability, and stigma attached with the mental illness. Method: Using a single case method, we qualitatively evaluated the effectiveness of psychiatric social work interventions in a case of a person with chronic schizophrenia. The interventions were psychoeducation, social skill training, activity scheduling, supportive work and family interventions. Result and Conclusion: In the qualitative assessment, we have found that these interventions were helpful in improving functional status and family environment
Keywords: Psychiatric social work, schizophrenia, case wor
How Do The Professional Social Workers Cope with Occupational Stress in A Non-Governmental Sector? : An Analysis at Organisational Level
Get PDFBackground: Human care professionals’ deals with humans and their relations, which are multifaceted and so, encompass complications. Their occupation involves dealing with high emotional demand, which puts them in a stress and work conflicts. Objectives: To know the occupational stress levels, ways of coping among professional social workers (PSWs) working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and to know the various interventions at the organisational level. Method and Material: With these objectives 92, professional social workers (PSWs) were selected randomly from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. To know stress levels, ways of coping and organisational interventions occupational stress index (OSI), coping checklist (CCL) and focused group discussions (FGD) were conducted respectively. Result and Conclusion: It was evident that PSWs’ from NGOs were using more of problem-focused coping along with the high use of seeking social support and distraction positive as their way as to combat their moderate stress levels. However, organisational interventions at four levels i.e. effective job redesign, promotion of constructive work environment, organisational services to balance workplace pressure, and infrastructure and resources were major suggestions which need to be carried out with due participation of professional social workers.
Keywords: Occupational stress, coping, professional social worker, Indi
Psychiatric Social Work Practice in Disability and Rehabilitation field in India
Get PDFIt is a well-known fact that mental illnesses comprise a substantial amount of the disability which can be equally or more disabling than general medical conditions. Psychiatric Social Work is working with severe or chronic mental illness major part of psychosocial intervention will be assessment and rehabilitation. So, they are directly involved in disability and rehabilitation practice. In the contemporary situation, Psychiatric Social Work teaching training and practice in disability and rehabilitation field in India must be regulated by RCI and for the same, we need a constant, combined and coordinated effort.
Keywords: Psychiatric Social Work, disability, rehabilitation council of Indi
Disability and Rehabilitation Needs of Persons with Schizophrenia
Get PDFBackground: Schizophrenia is a major mental illness. It imposes significant disability which has a measurable impact on many aspects of a person’s life. Rehabilitation need is a major aspect of the needs of persons with schizophrenia. The present study intended to assess the disability as well as to assess the rehabilitation needs perceived by persons with schizophrenia. Method and Materials: The present cross-sectional institution-based descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care centre. Fifty individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken up for the study. The data was collected by administering the Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS) and Rehabilitation Needs Assessment Schedule (RNAS) after taking informed consent. Results: Findings revealed that most of the persons with schizophrenia had a mild level of disability; most disability was seen in the area of interpersonal activities and least in self-care. Skills training was the most preferred area of rehabilitation needs followed by a need to find employment, people’s or family’s/friend’s/neighbour’s attitudes modification and providing help for families. Conclusion: This present study contributed to the knowledge of studied areas and given a new insight which can be used to plan and develop psychosocial rehabilitation services.
Keywords: Disability, rehabilitation, need assessment, schizophreni
Beyond Stigma: Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and Their Problems
Get PDFBackground: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In India, National AIDS Control and Organization (NACO) is primary concern Governmental agency which is deal with it in phase wise manner. During the all four phases of national AIDS control programme (NACP) concentration has been drawn on creation of amiable environment for persons living with HIV/AIDS(PLHA) by spreading awareness about different aspects of HIV/AIDS, reduction in high risk behaviour, (safe sex, usage of disposable syringes), free test of HIV infection and distribution of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART). All these efforts have their own advantage but still, the needs of PLHA are not fully met. They are many changes need to overcome yet, stigma is the biggest one and many others are increasing the problems of PLHA which have not been addressed adequately till date. This situation has been discussed in the paper. Methodology: Primary data has been collected from 213 respondents along with some secondary sources. Interview schedule and an interview guide were used as a tool. Result: This study reflects that despite the four complete phases of NACP the problem of PLHA has not been addressed in a holistic way. Concentration has been drawn mainly on the medical/clinical background of HIV/AIDS. The level of awareness among PLHA about ongoing programs is not very much good in condition. Particularly female PLHA and PLHA who were residing in remote areas like rural or slum had poor access to awareness. But the condition of PLHA who were well educated, belonged to a sound economic background, a resident of the urban or semi-urban area was also not better and had been found to be dissatisfied with arrangements. Conclusion: In the field of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS the role of NACO cannot be ignored. Because of the vigorous effort of NACO, the rate of new HIV infection has declined and in many parts has stabilized almost. This achievement does not permit us to ignore the diverse nature of needs, requirements and problems of the existing population of PLHA. In the Indian health care system, in terms of a power relationship, PLHA shares a subordinate position in which due to the absence of a bilateral interaction and unequal participation, they get less attention. The different nature of their problem has not been given adequate recognition but attention has been drawn on the medical/clinical background of HIV/AIDS. For that social difference, administrative negation is responsible. Therefore PLHA is the victim of poor pathological, biological condition and social arrangements that have victimized them in multiple ways.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Stigma, NAC
Psychosocial Intervention in an Elder Person with Depression: A Case Report
Get PDFBackground: The elderly are said to be more prone to depression as they become more isolated from their communities. Living alone, stressful life events, lack of social support systems, the recent loss of a loved one, lower socioeconomic status and presence of co-morbid medical illnesses are some of the risk factors for depression in the elderly which needs more than medical management. So, to demonstrate the scope, feasibility and possible outcome of the psychosocial intervention, a case of an elderly person with depressive disorder and associated psychosocial problems formed the background of this case report. The positive outcome of this case also gave us an opportunity to critically assess the feasibility of psychosocial intervention in a facility named “Psychosocial Intervention Clinic” which has started functioning recently in the Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh. Assessment & Management: The case presented here is that of a 78 years old, married, male, retired professor hailing from an upper-middle-class nuclear Hindu family with multiple psychosocial problems. Through an in-depth case study using face to face interview with the client and his family members, a psychosocial formulation was made and a plan for psychosocial intervention was made. As the sessions progressed, further associated issues were discussed. Consent was taken from the patient and family members for future possible reporting of this case in any journal. Outcome: After the psychosocial intervention, understanding and awareness about the illness and psychosocial problem related to that in the family was enhanced, there was better involvement and interactions among the family members, self-esteem of the client improved, unwanted behaviour of the clientdecreased, family decided to resolve the inter-personal issues and family conflicts were significantly minimized, The client was contended and satisfied with the outcome of the intervention. Conclusion: The case study illustrates the nature and extent of psychosocial problems in a case of elderly person with depression and enhanced the understanding on some psychosocial issues associated with depression in the elderly. It also demonstrated that psychosocial intervention plays a key role in the treatment of depression especially in the elderly.
Keywords: Elder person, depression, psychosocial interventio