Attachment styles, self-esteem and rejection sensitivity among university students

The study was conducted to examine: the association between attachment styles [i.e. secure, fearful, pre-occupied and dismissing], self-esteem and rejection sensitivity level among university students; and to explore the mediating role of self-esteem between relationship of preoccupied attachment style with rejection sensitivity. The sample consisted of 409 students [181 men and 228 women] with age range of 18-26 years from public and private universities of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore. Measures used were Relationship Scales Questionnaire [Griffin and Bartholomew, 1994], Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale [Rosenberg, 1965] and Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire [Feldman and Downy, 1996]. Correlation analysis revealed that secure attachment style is significantly negatively related to rejection sensitivity level whereas fearful, preoccupied and dismissing attachment styles were significantly positively related to rejection sensitivity level among university students. Further, it is indicated that only preoccupied attachment style is found significantly negatively related to self-esteem. Furthermore, the mediation analysis showed that the relationship between preoccupied attachment style and rejection sensitivity was partially mediated by self-esteem

Role of individual and organizational factors in decision making

The present study was conducted to examine the role of various individual and organizational factors in decision making styles including rational, intuitive, dependant, avoidant, and spontaneous. Urdu-translated version of General Decision Making Style Questionnaire [Scott and Bruce, 1995] was used to collect the data from the participants. A total of 300 bank managers were included in the current research. Purposive convenient sampling technique was employed in the present study. In order to investigate the mean differences, ANOVA and t-test were used in this research. Significant mean differences were found with respect to organizational and individual factors in decision making styles. Highly experienced managers were more intuitive decision makers as compared to relatively low experienced managers. Young and middle-aged adults were more rational decision makers than older adults. Managers belonging to public sector banks were more rational decision makers in comparison to private sector banks. No significant mean differences in decision making styles were found with respect to gender and management level Finally, implications and limitations were discussed

Role of individual and organizational factors in leadership

The present study was carried out to examine the role of various individual and organizational factors in leadership styles including transformational, transactional, and laissez faire leadership style. Urdu-translated version of Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire [MLQ] was used to collect the data from the participants. A total of 300 bank managers were included in the current research. Purposive convenient sampling technique was employed in the present study. In order to investigate the mean differences, one way ANOVA and t-test were used in this research. Significant mean differences were found with respect to individual and organizational factors in leadership styles. Middle level managers were found more transformational and transactional in comparison with top and lower level managers. Male bank managers were more transformational than their female counterparts. Public sector bank managers were more transformational than private sector managers. Managers with soft skills training were more transformational than managers without soft skills training. Finally, implications, limitations, and suggestions were discussed

Seed germination studies in pterocarpus marsupium roxb, an important multipurpose tree

The seed germination study was conducted through both in vitro and in vivo methods in Pterocarpus marsupium a multipurpose medicinal tree with low seed germination and poor viability. Mature seeds were surface sterilized and were either cultured on MS medium [half and full strength] augmented with different concentrations of GA[3] or subjected to various treatments viz. DW soaking, hot water soaking, cone. H[2]SO[4], cone. HCI and acid-alcohol [1:1]. The study suggested that in vitro method was more efficient and quick in terms of percent germination [80%] and half strength MS medium supplemented with GA[3] at 0.25 mg 1[-1] proved to be the optimal dose for induction of maximum germination

Echocardiographic correlation of left ventricular mass index in normotensive and hypertensive Pakistani population

A prospective study was done at National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi Pakistan to assess the echocardiographic correlation of left ventricular mass index [LVMI] in normotensive and hypertensive Pakistani population. A total of 100 subjects were studied, out of which 50 had mild to moderate systemic hypertension [HTN]. While 50 normotensive subjects matched for age and sex served as control. The mean age was not significantly different in control and HTN group [39 +/- 6 vs. 40 +/- 6 yrs; p=NS]. The height, weight and body surface area were significantly higher in HTN group. Heart Rate [HR] per minute was 79 +/- 9 in control and 81 +/- 6 in HTN group [p=NS]. The mean BP in HTN group [164 +/- 9/101 +/- 6 mmHg] was higher than the control group [116 +/- ll/75 +/- 5 mmHg]. In the HTN group, left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] was present in 34 percent of subjects on Estes ECG criteria, while 56 percent subject had LVH on M-mode echo by Devereux method. All subjects had normal systolic function and Ejection Fraction [EF]. In the control group LVM, LVMI was higher in male than female [LVM = 139.74 +/- 33 vs. 114.96 +/- 26; p=0.01, LVMI = 77.7 +/- 15 vs. 70.31 +/- 14; p=NS]. In comparison to Western population, LVMI was comparatively lower in our population, specially in men, [78 +/- 15vs 92 +/- 19; p=<0.01]. There was no correlation between LVMI and age in both groups, while BSA was the most important determinant of LVMI in control group, but not in HTN group. In the control group, HR was significantly negatively correlated [r = -0.32; p=<0.02] with LVMI, but not in the study group. The SBP and DBF were significantly positively correlated [r =0.46; p=0.001] with LVMI in the study group, but not in the control group. In the HTN group LVMI significantly increased with severity of HTN but not by duration of HTN. Increasing BP had positive correlation with LVMI, but in multiple regression analysis BP was not an independent determinant of LVMI. The LVEDD and LAD were significantly positively correlated with LVMI in the control group, while IVST and PWT were significantly positively correlated with LVMI in both groups. It is concluded that LVMI is comparatively lower in Pakistani population as compared to Western population. The cut of value for LVH in male is 108 gm/M2 and for the female 100 gm/M2 in our population. Age was not correlated with LVMI in both groups. Increasing BP had positive correlation with LVMI but not an independent determinant in multiple regression analysis. The potential determinant of LVMI in both groups were IVST, PWT and LVEDD