Pre-menstrual syndrome among Pakistani psychiatric patients

The present research investigated the Pre-Menstrual Syndrome [PMS] among Pakistani psychiatric patients. The sample consisted of 130 adult female subjects [65 depressives and 65 anxiety cases] diagnosed by their treating psychiatrists. Both groups were drawn from outdoor units Jinnah Hospital, Services Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. PMS Rating Scale and questionnaire for demographic details were devised and individually administrated to the subjects. Data analysis reveals that both the depressives and anxiety cases reported more complaints prior to menstruation [MD=103.12, MA=102.46] as compared to those of their postmenstrual phase [MD=75.16, MA=71.14]. Nevertheless, t-test results [t=0.167.df=128;p>0.05] do not indicate any significant difference between depressives and anxiety cases in manifestation of PMS

Occurrence of spousal aggression as reported by females in early and later phases of their marriage

The present research investigated the occurrence of spousal aggression [physical and psychological] as reported by females in early and later phases of their marriage. Ex-post facto research design was used. A sample of 30 educated married females was taken. All of them were working women with an average total monthly income of Rs. 20,530 and mean age of 35 years. The sample was reached by the researchers through Legal Aid Center, Lahore; Aurat Foundation, Lahore; Doctors of U.C.H., Lahore; Beacon House School System, Lahore; and Social Welfare Department of the Punjab, Lahore. Each subject was administered Personal History Questionnaire and Scale for Spousal Aggression [Farooqi and Rehman, 1996]. The research findings indicate that the females exposure to spousal Aggression [physical and psychological] decreases with an increase in the marital period

Impact of females' education on their marital adjustment

The present research was conducted to see the impact of females' education on their marital adjustment. A sample of 90 married females consisting of three groups: [i] highly educated, [ii] educated and [iii] minimally educated females were selected [30 in each subgroup]. The age range of married females was 20-40 years. The sample was drawn from the different areas of Lahore city. A comprehensive Marital Adjustment Questionnaire was devised and administrated by the researchers which assessed the respondents' relationship with in-laws, financial adjustment, leisure-time being spend with the spouse, mutual understanding between spouses, marital satisfaction and satisfaction with their educational level. The results [t=5.86; df=58;*p<.05] indicate that the highly educated females [X=129] are more well adjusted in their marital lives as compared to the educated females [X=113]. The results further indicate [t=5.74; df=58;*p<.05] that educated females [X=113] are better than minimally educated females [X=96] in terms of their marital adjustment. The research findings further indicate a high positive relationship [r=.73] between the females' satisfaction with their educational level and marital adjustment. Thus, it may be argued that Pakistani non-working females' education would enhance their marital adjustment

manifestation of psychophysiological symptoms in male and female patients before their major abdominal surgery

This research investigated the differences between female and male patients in their manifestation of psychophysiological symptoms before their major abdominal surgery. The sample consisted of 90 adult patients [45 females and 45 males] admitted for major abdominal surgery in the surgical units of Services Hospital, Lahore. Cornell Index-Form 2 [Sial and Farooqi's Urdu version, 1992] was administered to the subjects, individually, to assess their psycho physiological symptoms. "A Personal History Questionnaire" was also devised to determine the possible etiology of psychophsiological disorders in the subjects. The subjects were matched on their medical status only. Z-test was performed to find out the difference in the level of psycho physiological symptoms manifested by female and male patients during the pre-surgical phase of their abdominal surgery. The results [z = 17.5; SEDX =.76; N = 45; P <.05] reveal that the female patients show more psychophysiological symptoms as compared to male patients [XF = 30.3; XM = 17, respectively] before their major abdominal surgery

Assessment, treatment and prevention of child abuse

This paper briefly discusses the thorny issues pertaining to the assessment, treatment and prevention of child abuse in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the services available for the abused in Pakistani society are neither multidisciplinary nor very well-integrated as illustrated in case A and B. As a results, the child, the family, the teachers, the school officials, the health professionals and other providers become confused by the inconsistent advice and information from the untrained staff. Often, the therapists in Pakistan are forced to work in isolation with child-abuse cases and end up with predominance of frustration and failure. We desperately need an interaction between psychology and law to do justice to our much neglected cases of child abuse and exploitation. When children in a society are abused, the damage is done not only to the victims, it is transmitted to the whole nation resulting in a pattern of unhealthy development and loss of responsible as well as emotionally stable adult citizens. Therefore, immediate psychological and medico-legal interventions are recommended at local, national and international levels by all of us

comparative study of anxiety in female and male patients before their major abdominal surgery

This research investigated the difference between female and male patients in their manifestation of anxiety before undergoing major abdominal Surgery. The sample consisted of 90 adult patients [45 females and 45 males] admitted for major abdominal surgery in the surgical units. Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale [Farooqi's Urdu version, 1992] was administered to the subjects individually to assess their anxiety level. A [Personal History Questionnaire] was also devised to determine the possible etiology of anxiety in the subjects. The subjects were matched on their medical status, because, it was difficult and very time consuming to match the subjects on other variables, such as education, marital and socio-economical status. Z-test was performed to find out the difference in the level of anxiety manifested by female and male patients during the pre-surgical phase of their abdominal surgery. The results [Z=6; SE DX= .87; N=45; P< .05] indicate that female patients manifest a significantly higher level of anxiety than male patients prior to undergoing major abdominal surgery [Xf=23,-Xm=18 respectively]

Effectiveness of brief group counseling in reducing the depression level of female prisoners from Lahore jail

The present study explored the significance of brief group counseling in reducing the depression level of female prisoners from Lahore Jail, a short questionnaire was devised to understand the Psycho-social and sexual problems of female prisoners. Pre and Post counseling strategy was followed. A small group consisting of six subjects identified as depressed [using 'Beck depression inventory, urdu version'] was selected for this research. Twenty-four counseling sessions were given to this small group. Each session lasted for 60 minutes and was arranged, thrice a week for a period of 2 months. Beck depression inventory was re-administered individually to assess the post-counseling depression level of female prisoners. t-test was performed. The result [t = 16.27. d f = 5, P < 0.05] indicate the effectiveness of brief group counseling in reducing the depression level of female prisoners from Lahore Jail