Perceived stress, life events & coping among higher secondary students of Hyderabad, India: A pilot study.

Background & objectives: Psychosocial stressors leading to allostatic load need to be explored further as these have great scope for early intervention. Stress studies done in India are mostly based on sources of stress and objective measures of stress. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess stress appraisal among students (16-17 yr) and to identify institution-specific differences (Private vs. Government) in stress appraisal and coping. Methods: The study was carried out among 16-17 yr old apparently normal students. Eighty students were recruited from six schools ensuring equal representation from gender/category of schools (Government/ Private). Validated and culturally adaptable behavioural scales for perceived stress (PSS), stressful life events (LES) and coping were administered. Psychological morbidity was assessed using GHQ-12. Data on 75 students were available for statistical analysis. Results: The students of both Government and Private schools showed similar stress perception, though the former tend to have a higher mean score. The scores were significantly higher on avoidance coping (P<0.05). The stepwise regression model showed coping as the independent predictor of perceived stress (R2= 10%). Interpretation & conclusions: Students from Government schools had significantly higher scores on avoidance coping and therefore, suitable for a systematic study on chronic stress for early intervention.

A Study On The Genetics Of Sense Of Humour.

An attempt was made to assess the role of genetic factors in the expression of humour. The IPAT Humour Test was used to evaluate humour as a quantitative parameter. Correlation coefficients were calculated between pairs of first degree relatives. Variation in mean scores obtained for each of the 13 components of humour for the comparable pairs was high, and the correlations in general were poor. Our results may be explained on the basis of cultural and environmental influences.