Humor as an effective stress coping strategy for cardiac patients

The objective of the research was to explore the effect of humor as a coping strategy in cardiac patients. It was hypothesized that humor as a coping strategy would be positively related to reduction of the perceived stress associated to the cardiovascular problems; there would be a gender difference in the frequency of using humor as a stress coping strategy. A sample of 48 patients [24 males and 24 females] suffering from Cardiovascular disease were selected through purposive sampling from different hospitals of Karachi city [Pakistan]

Depression in spouses of patients with psychiatric and physiological disorders

The aim of this research was to compare the level of depression in spouses of patients with psychiatric disorders and physiological diseases [fatal] and to study the role of gender differences, social support and stigmas in contributing depression in spouses of patients with psychiatric and fatal physiological disorder. It was hypothesized that 1-Spouses of patients suffering from psychiatric disorders would have high depression then the spouses of patients suffering from any physical fatal illness 2-Spouses of patients suffering from psychiatric disorders would have high stigma and less social support as compared to other group. 3. Female spouses would report more depression as compared to male spouses. A comparative study Different hospitals of Karachi, 2010. Sample of 75 spouses of patients suffering from both the disorders [35 Ss for physiological group] and [40 for psychological group] was collected from various hospitals and clinics of Karachi. The research instrument used were l-"An Automatic Thought Questionnaires to assess the level of depression in the spouses. 2. Interview comprising of Demographic sheet A for the details of patient and sheet B for the details of the spouse and [3]Self developed questionnaires based on 5 and 10 point rating scale to measure social stigma and social support Show that p<.05 a significant difference was found for hypotheses 1, 2 and 3. A negative co-relation was seen between spouse depression and social support for both groups and positive relation between depression and stigma for both groups. Spouses of psychiatric patients suffer more from severe depression and social stigma as compared to spouses of physiological ill patients while women are more vulnerable to develop depression

Stress and depression in the parents of intellectually challenged children and the parents of intellectually challenged children with physical handicap

The research was conducted to investigate the amount of difference in stress reported by the mothers of the intellectually challenged children and the mothers of physically handicapped children. It was hypothesized that the mothers of intellectually challenged children will report more stress as compared to the mothers of the physically handicapped children. The sample of physically handicapped children's group consisted of 22 mothers. In this sample 86% were house wives and 13% were working ladies with average age of 27 years. The sample of intellectually challenged group consisted of mothers of intellectually challenged children who suffered moderate to severe mental disability. In this sample 77% were house wives and 22% were working ladies with average age of 28 years. From each group mothers were initially interviewed and later on had to complete the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress [QRS] by Holroyd and Guthrie [1974]. The t-test was calculated for the statistical analysis and the results obtained were found to be significant at P< 0.05, stating that mental handicap contributed more towards family stress

Close friendship and its relationship with self-esteem, anxiety and life satisfaction

The present study aims to study the relationship of friendship with self esteem, anxiety and life satisfaction among University students. The three hypotheses formulated were, 1] person more close to his/ her friend/s would have high self-esteem as compared to person, who is not or less close to his / her friend/s; 2] person more close to his/ her friends /s would have less anxiety as compared to the person, who is not or less close to his / her friend/s; 3] person more close to his / her friends/s would be more satisfied with life as compared to a person, who is not or less close to his/ her friend/s. A cross sectional study design was selected to provide a snap shot for public under standing of how close friendships can enhance self esteem and life satisfaction, whereas reducing anxiety. A sample of 100 University students from various universities of Karachi was selected randomly to assess the hypotheses. Sample included both males and females and their age range was 20 - 28 years. In order to test the hypothesis the Culture free self esteem inventory [CFSEI-2], Satisfaction with life scale [SWLS; Diener, Emmons et al, 1985]; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [Zigmond and Snaith, 1983] and Relationship Rating Form [RRF; Davis, 2001] to screen close friendship, were administered along with a demographic sheet included basic information of the participant. For statistical analysis the correlation and t- test was calculated. Strong positive relations were found between close friend ship and self esteem and life satisfaction. While strong negative relation was found between anxiety and friendship

Development and validation of Karachi domestic violence screening scale [KDVSS]

Domestic violence is a serious public health problem. In order to identify and treat psychological consequences associated with domestic abuse. The health care providers should be screening patients for physical, psychological and sexual forms of intimate partner violence. To design a validated instrument for screening out victims of domestic violence in both genders. A form consisting of 77 statements was developed on the basis of an operational definition and literature review of domestic abuse. It was then distributed among 300 individuals. Each statement was to be rated on 7-point scale from strongly disagreeing to strongly agreeing with the statement. Chi-square and percentages were calculated for the data. The statements, which were rated towards the agreeing point by more than 75% of the respondents irrespective of the sex, were selected for KDVSS. For validity check KDVSS was conducted on 35 known victims of domestic abuse; for statistical reliability chi-squares and percent values were used. Experts in the field were approached for checking inter-rater reliability of KDVSS. Findings: Out of 77 statements 35 had the p value above than .05, which is statistically significant. More than 75% of the participants independent of sex rated these 35 statements towards agreeing continuum. These statements comprised the final KDVSS. 82% of the Known Victims' scored above the cutoff score on KDVSS, which is indicative of adequate validity of the scale. The statistical reliability of 0.11 being sensitive statistically significant. Raters had rated the items as appropriate and adequate. In view of simplicity of use, and specific characteristic of investigating the incidence of domestic abuse [physical abuse, psychological abuse and sexual abuse] the scale represents a useful additional tool for the screening domestic abuse and facilitating appropriate help to the victims

Psychological consequences of intimate partner violence: forms of domestic abuse in both genders

To estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence, forms of domestic abuses faced by both genders and associated psychological consequences of domestic abuse particularly incidence of depression and anxiety in the victims. Specifically designed and validated instrument by the name of Karachi Domestic Violence Screening Scale [KDVSS], was used to screen out the victims of domestic violence in the sample. Data was collected from the outpatient departments of Psychiatry, Liaquat National Hospital PNS Shifa and Sobraj Hospital in Karachi. The sample included equal representation of male and female participants. It consisted of 140 individuals with middle-age range. Most of them were married, few were separated or divorced. Standardized self-rating, depression and anxiety rating scales were used to check the incidence of depression and anxiety in victims and non-victims. 63% of the participants were identified as victims of domestic violence on Karachi Domestic Violence Screening Scale. 36% of the victims were males and 64% of the victims were females. 35% of the victims reported facing physical abuse, 52% of the victims reported psychological abuse and 30% of the victims reported sexual abuse from their partner. 60% of the victims had depression and 67% of the victims had anxiety. Moderate and severe degrees of depression and anxiety were more common in female victims, whereas mild forms of depression and anxiety were prevalent in male victims. Females are the common victims of domestic violence though males can also be the victims of domestic abuse. Clinically both depression and anxiety ratings were high among the victims of domestic abuse in both genders but the frequency of severe forms of depression and anxiety was common in female victims. Hence, the clinicians must screen the patients of domestic violence in order to identify and treat psychological consequences such as depression and anxiety in the victims