Emotional indicators on human figure drawing test of mentally retarded children with and without hyperactivity

The aim of the present study was to investigate the emotional indicators in the Human Figure Drawing of mentally retarded children with and without hyperactivity. It will help in finding out the emotional expression of mentally disabled children. The design of the study is descriptive. It was hypothesized that mentally retarded children with hyperactivity would score high on emotional indicators of Human Figure Drawing Test [HFD] as compared to mentally retarded non hyperactive children. A purposive sample of 60 mentally retarded children 30 with mild, and moderate severity and with hyperactivity and 30 with mild and moderate severity and without hyperactivity with the age range of 6-18 years, was taken from special schools of Karachi city. Human Figure Drawing Test [HFD] was applied to evaluate emotional problems and Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder Test [ADHD - T] was applied to explore the hyperactivity of the mentally retarded children. The percentage method of descriptive statistics was applied for statistical analysis. The results show that mentally retarded children with hyperactivity have more emotional problems than mentally retarded children without hyperactivity

Prevalence of personality disorders during the years 2003-2009 at the Institute of ClinicalPsychology, University of Karachi

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence rate of personality disorders reported at Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi-Pakistan during the years 2003-2009. Following archival method the total sample was consisted of [3917] registered clients out of which [88] were diagnosed on Axis II [Personality Disorders] according to DSM-IV-TR [2000] text revised criteria. The whole sample went through complete psychological assessment by trained clinical psychologists. All registered cases of year 2003-2009 were selected and files of personality disorders were reviewed. Demographic variables and their diagnoses were observed and analyzed. Frequency distribution and percentages of descriptive statistic were calculated. Findings showed that there are [2.22%] of cases, diagnosed on axis II [Personality disorders]. Borderline personality disorder [18.18%], Histrionic Personality Disorder [14.94%], and Narcissistic Personality Disorder [12.64%] have high prevalence rate as compared to other personality disorders. Furthermore, these personality disorders were mostly prevalent in single males belonging to middle class nuclear family systems. Present prevalence rate showed that people coming to psychological clinics are mostly diagnosed with Cluster B personality disorders. Awareness Programs should be developed for early identification of these disorders

Level of stress and depression among mothers of children suffering from cancer

The aim of the present research was to investigate the psychological effects of cancer [ill family member] in mothers of children suffering from this disease. After reviewing the literature following hypotheses were formulated. [a] Stress level will be high in the mother of children with cancer as compared to the mother of children with out cancer;[b] Depression would be high in the mothers of children with cancer as compared to mothers of children with out cancer. From Jan 2008 to Dec2008 at Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi. A sample of 45 mothers was selected through purposive sampling techniques from different hospitals and areas of Karachi-Pakistan during the year 2008. The entire sample [both of mother and children] divided in to two groups considering the independent group design, in which 20 children were suffering from cancer and 25 children were with out cancer [or control group] [of both gender]. Their age ranged between 6 to 12 years. For children with cancer duration of physical illness was at least 1 to 2 years. While the educational level of mothers was at least metric and their socioeconomic level was middle class. After taking the informed consent the demographic sheet and The Parental Stress Index Scale [Abidin, 1995] were administered to assess the psychological effects on mothers. In order to interpret the results in statistical terminology, t- test and descriptive statistics was computed. Results indicate that there was a significant difference between level of stress and depression among mothers of children with and without cancer [t[43] =4.667, p<.00]; [t[43] =2.369, p<.02] respectively. The findings from present research suggest that mothers of children suffering from cancer are more likely to have high level of stress and depression as compared to mother of normal children

Emotional indicators on human figure drawing of juvenile delinquents and non-delinquents

To evaluate emotional indicators in Drawings of juvenile delinquent and non-delinquent boys on Human Figure Drawing Test. Analytic Descriptive Study Karachi, Pakistan from 2005 January to 2006 January. After literature review it was hypothesized that Emotional indicators on Human Figure Drawing would more frequently occur in drawings of Delinquent boys than non delinquent boys. The sample consisted of 40 boys [20 delinquent and 20 non delinquent]. Delinquent boys were selected from the Remand home, Nazimabad, Karachi. While non delinquents boys were selected from different areas of Karachi. Both groups were matched on the variables of age, educational level and socio economic status. The age range of the both group [juvenile delinquent and non delinquent] was from 10 to 17 years, they belonged to lower socio economic status and their educational level was at least of 5[th] grade. Intake Card and Case history Sheet of Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi and Human Figure Drawing Test [HFD; Koppitz,] were administered individually. Percentage method of descriptive statistics was applied. It was found that. emotional indicators of poor integration, monster no mouth and no neck occurred more frequently in drawings of delinquent boys [70%, 50%, 40%,and 80% respectively] as compared to non delinquents [15%, 0%, 0% and 45%]. Crossed Eyes, genitals, three figure and clouds were the least frequent indicators in both delinquent and non delinquent boys [0%]. Juvenile delinquent boys do suffer from emotional disturbances; they appear to be impulsive, immature, has poor inner control, withdrawal and poor self concept. They also appear to have feelings of anxiety, insecurity as compared to non delinquent boys

Effects of employment on mothers and their children after disruption of the family

To assess the effects of employment status of mothers on them and their children after the disruption of their family. A comparative study. This study was conducted in Karachi from Jan 1999 to Jan 2001. After literature review it was hypothesized that 1] Divorced working mothers will score low on the Variables of depression, anxiety and schizophrenic thinking as compared to divorced non-working mothers, 2] Children of divorced working mothers will have. a] High self-esteem and high need for achievement as compared to children of divorced non-working mothers. b] Low scores on the variables of aggression and depressed mood as compared to children of divorced non-working mothers. First sample of divorced mothers consisted of 30 mothers [15 working and 15 non-working] who have received divorce only a year back and were living with their parental family. Their age ranged from 18 to 35 years. Both the groups were matched on the variables of age, education, socioeconomic class and number of children. Second sample consisted of children of divorced mothers [15 children of working mothers and 15 children of non-working mothers] and age range of the children was between 6 years up to 12 years. IPAT-Anxiety scale, IPAT-Depression scale and Whitaker index of schizophrenic thinking were administered on mothers and Children Apperception Test [CAT] was also administered individually on children. t-test was applied to calculate the mean difference on different variables between above mentioned groups of children and women. Results indicated the significant difference between divorced working women and non-working women in the level of depression [t=2.88, df=28, p<0.003] and anxiety [t=2.16, df=28, p=0.02]. Insignificant difference between these two groups was found on Schizophrenic thinking [t=1.46, df=28, p=0.07]. Self-esteem of children of divorced working mothers is higher than children of divorced non-working mothers [t=3.72, df=28, p<0.0004]. While depress mood, aggression and need for achievement in children of both mothers did not differ. The study shows that employment affects the level of depression and anxiety in divorced mothers and it also affects the self-esteem in their children. Although there are no significant differences found on schizophrenic thinking in divorced working and non-working mothers and also depress mood, aggression and achievement in children of both mothers did not differ

Parental divorce and psychological well-being of children

In the present study it was demonstrated that parental divorce has negative impact on the Psychological wellbeing of children. It was hypothesized that a] mean score of need for achievement and self-esteem of children of divorced women would be lower than the children of married women and b] mean score of depress mood and aggression would be more in children of divorced women than the children of married women. In order to test these hypotheses CAT was administered on the children [aged 6-12 years] of divorced and married women. The [t] test indicated that the mean score of self-esteem of children of divorced women was significantly lower than the mean score of self-esteem of children of married women. The Mean aggression and depress mood scores were significantly higher in the children of divorced women than the mean aggression and depress mood scores of children of married women. Whereas there was no significant difference in the mean scores of need for achievement of children of both the groups