Urmi Nanda Biswas

Bio: Urmi Nanda Biswas is an academic researcher from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The author has contributed to research in topics: Employer branding & Corporate social responsibility. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 31 publications receiving 194 citations. Previous affiliations of Urmi Nanda Biswas include Sardar Patel University & Yahoo!.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on internet use and escapism in adolescents

Abstract: espanolEl impacto del confinamiento por el COVID-19 en el uso de internet y la evasion en los adolescentes. La pandemia del COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto significativo en el funcionamiento diario, tomandose medidas importantes para reducir la propagacion del virus. Las escuelas y los espacios publicos se han cerrado durante largos periodos, y la distancia fisica se ha impuesto. Los adolescentes y jovenes han tenido que soportar un estres significativo al tiempo que lidiar con las situaciones propias de su desarrollo. Los estudios informan de un aumento en la adiccion al juego y al uso de Internet con un impacto perjudicial en el bienestar psicosocial. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar el impacto del confinamiento en el uso de Internet en los adolescentes, comparando sus habitos con antes de la pandemia. Ademas, se estudia la relacion entre la adiccion al juego, el uso de Internet y las preocupaciones por el COVID-19. Adolescentes de varios paises (India, Malasia, Mexico y Reino Unido) completaron los cuestionarios online, que se distribuyeron a traves de redes sociales y redes de jovenes. Se incluyeron preguntas sobre Internet, redes sociales, juego, depresion, soledad, aversion y COVID-19. Los resultados muestran que los adolescentes en general han aumentado el uso de redes sociales y de servicios de transmision. Ademas, los que obtuvieron puntuaciones altas en adiccion al juego, uso compulsivo de Internet y uso de redes sociales tambien informaron de puntuaciones altas en depresion, soledad, aversion, mala calidad del sueno y ansiedad relacionada con la pandemia. Nuestros hallazgos indican que, independientemente del pais de residencia, el confinamiento por COVID-19 ha tenido un efecto significativo en el uso de Internet y en el bienestar psicosocial de los adolescentes. Se destaca la necesidad de abordar el distres relacionado con la pandemia para reducir el efecto de las estrategias de afrontamiento desadaptativas. EnglishThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on everyday functioning, considerable measures being taken to reduce the spread of the virus. Schools and social avenues have been placed on prolonged lockdowns, with people continuing to maintain physical distance. Adolescents and young people have had to endure significant stress alongside dealing with developmental characteristics. Amidst all of this, studies report an increase in gaming addiction and internet use with detrimental impact on psychosocial well-being. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of lockdown on internet use in adolescents, comparing their habits from before the pandemic. Furthermore, this research aimed to investigate the relationship between gaming addiction, internet use and COVID-19 worries. Adolescents from several countries (e.g., India, Malaysia, Mexico and the UK) completed online questionnaires, shared via social media and youth networks. These measures included questions on internet, social media, gaming, depression, loneliness, escapism and COVID-19. Results show that adolescents generally have increased their use of social media sites and streaming services. Further, those who scored highly on gaming addiction, compulsive internet use and social media use also reported high scores of depression, loneliness, escapism, poor sleep quality and anxiety related to the pandemic. Our findings indicate that, regardless of country of residence, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant effect on adolescent internet use and psychosocial well-being. The need to address pandemic related distress to reduce the effect of maladaptive coping strategies is highlighted.

Life Skills Training as an Effective Intervention Strategy to Reduce Stress among Tibetan Refugee Adolescents

Abstract: Today, the increasing complexity of life in a time of socio-cultural and economic transition has led to the emergence of various problems, such that literacy and numerical skills alone will not help children to face the growing challenges. Thus, skill based training has been in much demand to empower children to resolve such conflicts successfully. Among the many existing skill based training programmes, life skills training (LST) has been a buzzword especially in school and health care education. Life skills are psychosocial competencies and contribute greatly to achieving psychological, social and mental well-being. Although there is no definitive list of life skills, any skill which is psychosocial and interpersonal in nature can be labelled a life skill. WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA listed 10 skills as the most essential, which have been particularly considered for the present study. The 10 core skills which are relevant across cultures are decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal relationship, empathy, self-awareness, coping with emotions and coping with stress.

Clinicopathological profile of induced chronic arsenic toxicity in goats

Abstract: Chronic arsenic toxicity was induced in goats by oral administration of sodium arsenite @25.0mg/kg b. wt. daily for 12 weeks. Clinically ,there were dcvelopment of gastrointestinaL and nephritic signs with 100% mortality. Intoxicated goats had Leucopaenia, anaemia and increased erythrocyte fragility rate. Rumen pH became acidic with complete absence of its protozoan activity. An increased BSP clearance time was observed in the intoxicated goats. Urinanalysis revealed low specific gravity and pH alongwith marked presence of protein, sugar, cast, pus cells and arsenic (>70% mg%). Significantly decreased concentrations of urea nitrogen and creatinine with increase of alkaline phosphates were observed in urine. The elimination of arsenic mainly occured through the faeces and skin.

Promoting Health and Well-being in Lives of People Living with HIV and AIDS:

Abstract: The highly effective pharmaceutical polytherapies for the treatment of HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) have practically reduced HIV and AIDS to a chronic condition like any other chronic illness. People living with HIV and AIDS can now have an almost normal life expectancy; the challenge for them is to live a physically and mentally healthy life. These challenges involve avoiding and managing opportunistic infections physically on one hand and taking care of their mental health needs and promoting and sustaining psycho-social well-being on the other hand. Although a torrent of research has studied the psychosocial correlates of slower disease progression and psycho-social well-being among people living with HIV and AIDS, very few sustained approaches have been made to understand and isolate the contribution of different psycho-bio-behavioural parameters for the psycho-immuno-enhancement in people living with HIV and AIDS. Systematic search in different ele...

From Conceptualizing to Measuring HIV Stigma: A Review of HIV Stigma Mechanism Measures

Abstract: Recent analyses suggest that lack of clarity in the conceptualization and measurement of HIV stigma at an individual level is a significant barrier to HIV prevention and treatment efforts. In order to address this concern, we articulate a new framework designed to aid in clarifying the conceptualization and measurement of HIV stigma among individuals. The HIV Stigma Framework explores how the stigma of HIV elicits a series of stigma mechanisms, which in turn lead to deleterious outcomes for HIV uninfected and infected people. We then apply this framework to review measures developed to gauge the effect of HIV stigma since the beginning of the epidemic. Finally, we emphasize the utility of using three questions to guide future HIV stigma research: who is affected by, how are they affected by, and what are the outcomes of HIV stigma?

Corporate citizenship as a marketing instrument: concepts, evidence and research directions

Abstract: Confronted with increasing pressures to limit government spending on social welfare, more and more public policy makers welcome the growing social involvement of corporations. Yet, inasmuch as corporate citizenship may be desirable for society as a whole, it is unlikely to be embraced by a large number of organizations unless it is associated with concrete business benefits. This paper presents past findings and proposes future research directions useful for understanding the potential value of corporate citizenship as a marketing tool. Specifically, after examining the nature of corporate citizenship, the paper discusses its potential impact, first on consumers, then on employees. Two conceptual frameworks are introduced to guide research on the value of corporate citizenship in terms of external and internal marketing respectively.

Common elements in self-management of HIV and other chronic illnesses: an integrative framework

Abstract: HIV/AIDS is widely recognized as a chronic illness within HIV care, but is often excluded from chronic disease lists outside the field. Similar to other chronic diseases, HIV requires lifetime changes in physical health, psychological functioning, social relations, and adoption of disease-specific regimens. The shift from acute to chronic illness requires a self-management model in which patients assume an active and informed role in healthcare decision making to change behaviors and social relations to optimize health and proactively address predictable challenges of chronic diseases generally and HIV specifically. This article reviews literature on chronic disease self-management to identify factors common across chronic diseases, highlight HIV-specific challenges, and review recent developments in self-management interventions for people living with HIV (PLH) and other chronic diseases. An integrated framework of common elements or tasks in chronic disease self-management is presented that outlines 14 elements in three broad categories: physical health; psychological functioning; and social relationships. Common elements for physical health include: a framework for understanding illness and wellness; health promoting behaviors; treatment adherence; self-monitoring of physical status; accessing appropriate treatment and services; and preventing transmission. Elements related to psychological functioning include: self-efficacy and empowerment; cognitive skills; reducing negative emotional states; and managing identity shifts. Social relationship elements include: collaborative relationships with healthcare providers; social support; disclosure and stigma management; and positive social and family relationships. There is a global need to scale up chronic disease self-management services, including for HIV, but there are significant challenges related to healthcare system and provider capacities, and stigma is a significant barrier to HIV-identified service utilization. Recognizing that self-management of HIV has more in common with all chronic diseases than differences suggests that the design and delivery of HIV support services can be incorporated into combined or integrated prevention and wellness services.

Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle

Abstract: This title provides a comprehensive overview of the research on same-sex parenthood, exploring ways in which lesbian and gay parents resist, accommodate, and transform fundamental notions of gender, parenting, and family. It integrates both qualitative and quantitative research. It highlights understudied aspects of same-sex parenting, such as termination of couple relationships. It offers practical recommendations in every chapter.