Depression and anxiety in the caregivers of mentally ill patients

This study aimed at assessing the level of depression and anxiety among the caregivers of male and female patients with different psychiatric diagnosis. It was a Retrospective study. The data was taken from both In and Out patient departments Institute of Psychiatry Rawalpindi General Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 2004 to April 2004. The sample consisted of primary caregivers of 50 patients' of both genders, 25 male and 25 female patients. One primary caregivers of each patient was taken. Hamilton Rating Scale for depression [HAM-D] and HAM-A were used to assess depression and Anxiety. Sample was taken from the out patient department of Rawalpindi general Hospital. The result of study revealed that caregivers of the patients with psychiatric illnesses have significant high level of depression and anxiety and significant gender differences were also observed. Results showed that caregivers of young male patients have high level of depression as compare to older male patients and young female patient. No significant differences were observed between care givers of young male and female patients. The caregivers of patients carrying the diagnosis of schizophrenia have higher level of depression as compared to caregivers of depression and substance abuse. The duration of illness is also important dimension as care givers of the patients who were ill more that 18 months their family reported about being depressed and anxious. From the present study it can be suggested that the care givers of young patients have higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to older patients and duration of illness and gender are important parameters to this

Locus of control and personality traits of male substance abusers and nonabusers

The present study aimed to assess and compare personality traits and locus of control of substance abusers and male non-Abusers. Retrospective study. The male substance abusers were taken from two drug treatment centers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Nijiat Markaz and sunny trust Bahara Kahu, and 50 male non- abusers were taken from general community January 2004 to April 2004. The sample consisted of 100 males, 50 male Abusers and 50 males' non-abusers. The abusers and non abusers were selected through non-probability, purposive sampling technique. Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale [1966] [Urdu Translation], 16 Personality Factor Test [16PF, 1949] [Urdu Translation] were used in study along with demographic sheet. The age range of male substance abusers and non-abusers was from 18 to 50 years, educated up to intermediate level. The age range of alcohol, opium and cannabis abusers was between 26 to 36 years, where as the heroin and poly drug-abuser ages were ranging between 37 to 50 years. Most of the substance abusers were using heroin and poly drugs. The results indicated that male substance abusers scored lower than non abusers on personality traits of Openness to change[t = 7.360,P<0.01], Self reliance[t = 12.21,df = 49,P<0.01],Perfectionism[t = 11.79,df = 49,P<0.01]and Tension [t = 16.4,df = 49,P<0.01]. Substance abusers significantly scored higher on external locus of control [t=7.50, DF=49, P=.000]. Substance abusers had accentuated specific personality traits which makes them different from non abusers. Moreover, substance abusers seem to be more influenced by environmental cues. Locus of control orientation is an important parameter which has effect on thought, behavior and actions