Effectiveness of anger management program on anger level, problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Anger is a natural feeling which is essential for survival, however, which can impair functioning if it is excessive. Adolescents need to be equipped with skills to cope with their anger for the promotion of their health and safety. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of anger management program on anger level, problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental, pre-test-post-test control group design with a multistage random sampling was adopted to select 128 school-going adolescents aged between 13 and 16 years. Experimental group received six sessions of anger management program, while control group received one session on anger management skill after the completion of post-assessment for both the groups. Sessions included education on anger, ABC analysis of behavior and relaxation training, modifying anger inducing thoughts, problem solving, and communication skills training. Assessment done after the 2 months of anger management program. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Study reveals the improvement in the problem solving skills (81.66 ± 4.81), communication skills (82.40 ± 3.82), adjustment (28.35 ± 3.76), and decreased anger level (56.48 ± 4.97). Within the experimental and between the experimental and control group, post-test mean scores differed significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the anger management program was effective in decreasing anger level and increasing problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents.

A Systematic Chart Review of Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Data from a Tertiary Care Psychiatry Center in India.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an understudied construct in the psychiatric setting. The majority of existing Indian studies on PTSD focus on the general population or disaster-stricken communities. Here, we present data from a five-year retrospective chart review from a tertiary care psychiatric center in India. Methods: Medical records of adult patients (≥18 years) who had attended psychiatry outpatient services between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2020 (five years) and were diagnosed with PTSD, as per ICD-10 criteria, were reviewed (n = 113). The relevant sociodemographic and clinical details were extracted using a semistructured pro-forma. Results: The percentage of adult patients with PTSD diagnosis in the five years was 0.22%. PTSD was more common in females (n = 65, 57.5%). Most patients had interpersonal trauma (n = 85, 75.2%), specifically sexual abuse (n = 47, 41.6%). The median age of onset was 22 years. All the patients had re-experiencing symptoms, with an equally high rate of avoidance (n = 109, 96.5%) and arousal symptoms (n = 110, 97.3%). 82%(93) had a comorbid psychiatric disorder, with mood disorder being the most common (n = 44, 38.9%). Males had a higher rate of comorbid substance use disorder (n = 14, 29.2%) and depression (n = 20,42%), and females had a higher rate of comorbid dissociative disorder (n = 13,20%). Most of the patients received non-trauma-focused psychological interventions, and only 18% (20) received evidence-based trauma-focused psychological interventions. Conclusion: Interpersonal trauma, specifically sexual abuse, largely contributes to PTSD among adults attending psychiatric services. The need for trauma-focused psychological interventions is underscored.

Client perspectives on perceived barriers to homework adherence in psychotherapy: An exploratory study from India.

We explored perceived barriers to homework adherence in clients receiving individual psychotherapy. Ninety-four adults with at least four individual psychotherapy sessions were recruited from outpatient services of a tertiary hospital in India and assessed on the Barriers to CBT Homework Completion Scale, Homework Compliance Scale, and Clinical Global Impressions scale. More than one-fourth completed some portion of the homework. Participants reported a high level of overall perceived barriers to homework, with more task-and-patient related factors. Higher perceived barriers were associated with lower adherence. Findings highlight the importance of understanding perceived barriers to homework adherence and addressing them systematically.

Efficacy of an indicated intervention program for Indian adolescents with subclinical depression.

Subclinical depressive symptoms in adolescents are associated with a host of impairments and constitute a risk factor for future depression. The aim of the present study was to study the efficacy of a school-based group coping skills program for Indian adolescents with subclinical depression. Adolescents (n = 120) across two schools comprised the intervention and control groups and were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 months no-contact follow-up. The intervention group adolescents received the 8-weekly Coping Skills program in same-gender groups of 4-8 adolescents each, and the control group adolescents received one interactive psycho-educatory session. The intervention group evidenced clinically significant reductions in depressive symptoms, negative cognitions, and academic stress, and increased social problem solving and coping skills, at both post-intervention and follow-up. With regard to moderators, initial levels of depressive symptoms and homework compliance were found to partially moderate the effect of intervention. No effects were found for parental depression, gender, and age. The present study calls for future development and implementation of programs to address subclinical psychopathology among adolescents in Indian schools.

Sexual Functioning, Beliefs About Sexual Functioning and Quality of Life of Women with Infertility Problems.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted in the background of paucity of studies examining the sexual and psychosocial functioning of women with infertility. AIMS: The study explored sexual functioning in women with infertility problems, their beliefs about sexuality and their quality of life. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A single group exploratory design with non-probability purposive sampling was used. A total of 30 participants diagnosed with primary infertility were included in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were obtained by individual administration of the following tools: Semi-structured interview schedule, Female Sexual Functioning Inventory, Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale - BREF Version and General Health Questionnaire-12. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: About half of the participants had sexual dysfunction. Pain-related problems were most commonly reported (50%). Factors contributing to dysfunction included inadequate knowledge about sex, sexual stimulation and sexual communication. Along with inadequate self-image, negative childhood experiences, financial difficulties and marital discord in parents influenced the perception of self. Majority of the women had dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality (56%), and greater beliefs were found to be in the domain of sexual conservatism. The overall quality of life was poor, and 56% of women experienced psychological distress. There was significant positive correlation between sexual conservatism and experience of pain and overall sexual functioning. CONCLUSION: Women with infertility bear dysfunctional beliefs and suffer from problems in sexual functioning, have low quality of life and high psychological distress.

Felt needs for psychological training to enhance performance: Perspectives of youth engaged in competitive sports.

BACKGROUND: Individuals undergoing training in competitive sports are required to deal with various challenges such as real and perceived pressures to perform and invest sustained efforts in rigorous training regimens. Global literature indicates successful inclusion of psychological components in the training of sportspersons. It is well recognized that training programs need to be designed keeping in view the local contextual factors as well as felt needs. However, there are very few studies from India that have explored felt needs of individuals training in competitive sports. AIM: The study was conducted to explore felt needs for psychological inputs in youth selected for training in various sports by the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department, Government of Karnataka. METHOD: The sample composed of 166 youth (males = 98 females = 68), aged between 16 and 21 years, residing in state sports hostels of Bengaluru and Mysuru and undergoing training in competitive sports. A ten-item survey prepared based on the literature review, and a pilot study was used to assess felt needs for training in psychological aspect for performance enhancement. RESULTS: Learning ways to maintain motivation for sports practice despite ups and downs in performance/other obstacles, maintaining self-esteem, managing disappointments, managing anger, and handling stress related to injuries received highest endorsements (75% or more) as strong felt needs in the overall sample. Only a few differences emerged between genders and age groups. CONCLUSION: The study has implications for integrating psychological training into the routine training of young sportspersons engaged in competitive sports.