ABSTRACT
Background: Marital quality is an essential feature of family life that affects one’s wellbeing; higher marital quality is linked to less vulnerability to depression, self-rated health, less physical ailments and subjective well-being and happiness. Cross sectional studies have found low marital satisfaction and happiness in middle aged adults compared to the younger or older adults, whereas cohort studies have revealed that marital quality tends to decrease after the initial of marriage years and into the middle adulthood and then either steadies or continue to decrease after midlife. This study explored marital quality in women and the dimensions that contribute to greater marital quality in midlife stage of marriage. Methodology: The sample consisted of 15 middle aged married women. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to explore their marital quality and the dimensions related to marital quality. The interviews were analysed using content analysis method. Results: The results showed that aspects such as handling problems and disagreements, communication, having an egalitarian approach, making compromises or adjustments, support of extended family were related to better marital quality. Conclusion: The study highlights that marital enrichment programs that focus on communication between partners, problem solving strategies and effective handling of disagreements can increase the marital quality and strengthen the marital relationship.
ABSTRACT
Dhat syndrome is a culture bound syndrome originating in the Indian sub-continent. Various cultures or religions have discussed about ill effects of semen loss and anxiety related to semen loss is one of the core symptoms of Dhat syndrome. It is found to be most prevalent among young men coming from rural background with poor education. Further, Dhat syndrome has been associated with comorbid depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Management of Dhat syndrome includes combination of psychoeducation, sex education, medications and psychotherapy. This paper intends to provide and the place the origins of Dhat syndrome in culture context and discusses the socio-cultural factors that tends maintain it.
ABSTRACT
Background: Superstitions are beliefs that fate is governed by uncontrollable external forces. Superstitionsplay a key role in sports since they associate with activities involving danger and lack of predictability. Therehas been a dearth of studies regarding the effect such superstitious beliefs have on athletes’ performance, andon the looking superstitions from a qualitative perspective, specifically on Indian population, hence thisstudy aims to explore the various superstitious beliefs (SB) endorsed by team sportspersons at intercollegiatelevel and analyze how these beliefs affect their sports performance. This study also aimed at analysing thegender differences within different team sports.Methods: Data was collected using purposive and snowball sampling technique. 50 sportspersons frombadminton, basketball, football, cricket, hockey, and volleyball participated. Semi- structured interviewswere conducted to obtain rich data. Content analysis was carried out to obtain the emerging themes.Results: The major themes which emerged from the data include nature, origin, frequency, impact,intentionality, evolution, and orientation of superstitions in reality.Conclusion: Further research is needed in the Indian context regarding sensitivity towards superstitious andthe need to incorporate them in coaching for enhancing performance
ABSTRACT
Background: Use of counselling as a therapeutic tool for the betterment of people in distress has grownrapidly over the years. As Mental Health professionals, dealing with humans and related psychological risks,it is one of the most responsible jobs. The current study is an attempt towards examining the effectivecounselling practices that are being followed in India and to gain an insight into the knowledge and trainingof Mental Health Counsellors.Methods: The research was carried out on 14 counsellors working in Mumbai and Bangalore of minimumeducation qualification being a master's degree in counselling psychology. In this qualitative study, Sociodemographic data sheet, semi-structured interview schedule, and worksheet were used. The data gatheredwas analyzed by directed content analysis.Results: Certain dimensions of counselling were in line with past literature, however, the need of licensureexam for counsellors, government body regulating policies and mental health laws, better coursework andpractical training programs, difficulty in following complete ethical practices, emphasis on personal therapyand supervision emerged.Conclusion: The current study provides rich data in terms of how effective the counselling practices arebeing followed in India and highlights the pitfalls and gaps which needs to be resolved.