Showing papers in "Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2008"

Normative Data on Seguin Form Board Test

Abstract: The present study is an attempt to revalidate and develop normative data on a non-verbal test of intelligence-Seguin Form Board (SFB). The SFB was administered on a sample of 720 children including 361 boys and 359 girls between age group of 36–120 months (Mean Age: 89.19 months; SD: 20.82) drawn from rural and urban areas and belonging to different social economic status groups. Results indicate that SFB continues to remain a valid and reliable speed test of intelligence at lower age levels of children. However, there is need to evolve separate norms on SFB for different age groups, socio-economic status levels, and area of residence (rural and urban) respectively. An attempt is also made in this study to demonstrate a modified procedure of test performance as relatively more appropriate, superior and effective for estimation of mental ages/IQ of children on this test.

Alcohol Related Beliefs among College Students

Abstract: The present study aimed at examining alcohol-related beliefs among college students. The sample comprised of 236 college students -120 female students and 116 male students. The age range of the sample was between 18 to 21 years. The tools used in the study were Personal Information Data Sheet, Scale for Assessment of Attitudes toward Drinking and Alcoholism (SAADA), Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire-Adult Form (AEQ), and The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Assessments were carried out in group sessions in the college premises. Data were analyzed using parametric statistical techniques such as t-test and Pearson's product moment correlation. Results revealed that family structure, alcohol use in family and alcohol use among friends significantly influenced the alcohol related cognitions of college students. Attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol related expectancies were significantly associated with each other. Negative affect was correlated with higher positive expectancy. The implications for primary prevention for college students are discussed.

Personality, Emotional Intelligence, and Alexithymia Correlate with Academic Achievement in Technology Students

Abstract: The relationship of emotional intelligence, personality Factors and Alexithymia with academic achievement of undergraduate technology students was examined. Two Parameters of students ‘academic achievement; Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) (N= 181) and Joint Engineering Examination (JEE) rank (N=438) were taken into account. They administered Revised NEO Personality Inventory, The Emotional Intelligence scales and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). CGPA was found negatively correlated with externally oriented thinking (EOT) and total score of Alexithymia. When reserved category students were excluded from the data 138 participants remained. Their JEE positions were not observed significantly correlated with most of the psychological constructs. Surprisingly, CGPA of this group was positively correlated with Neuroticism (probably due to Anxiety (NI). Though, the other big five factors were not significantly correlated with CGPA, but their facets, like warmth (E1), a facet of Extroversion; Straightforwardness (A2) Altruism (A3), facets of Agreeableness; and Dutifulness (C3) and Achievement Striving (C4), facets of conscientiousness have observed correlated.

Personality, Stressful Life Events, Meaning in Life and Reasons for Living

Abstract: The present study examines the roles of personality, stressful life events in last one year, presence of meaning, search for meaning, reasons for living in predicting trait hope and state hope of college students. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.The Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale, The Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults or RFL-YA, The future Scale, Goals Scale for the present were administered to 320 college students comprising of 160 males and 160 females, of 4 college of Kolkata. The obtained data have been analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. The findings suggest that except stressful life events and presence of meaning, other predictor variables i.e. personality, search for meaning, reasons for living contribute significantly on criterion variable (trait hope and state hope). Therefore it is concluded from the present study that search for meaning and reasons for living act as buffer against stress and contribute to trait hope and state hope among college students.

Psychopathy in Opium Dependents

Abstract: A growing number of literature and empirical research document a relationship between drug dependence and criminal offences but few studies have explored antisocial behavior and psychopathy among individuals with substance dependence. The main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between drug dependence, psychopathy and antisocial behavior in a sample of subjects with opium dependence. To do so, 30 male opium dependents were selected from rehabilitation centers in Iran. Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-III) assessed them for antisocial behavior and psychopathy. In addition, craving was assessed by Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ). The result indicated that opium dependence group score high on Psychopathy as compared to normal group. In addition, Psychopathy and craving have a high positive correlation for opium dependants. These findings support this idea that antisocial behavior, substance dependence and Psychopathy often co-occur and all of them are related to craving and duration of dependence.

Life and Need Satisfaction among Patients with First Episode Psychoses

Abstract: Purpose of the present study were to assess the levels of life satisfaction and social need satisfaction among recently recovered inpatients who had first episode of psychotic illness and compare their reported life and social need satisfaction. The study included total 60 indoor patients, 30 with first episode of mania with psychotic symptoms and 30 with schizophrenia under treatment for the first time. Both groups were assessed through Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale and Sociogenic need Satisfaction Scale.

Application of EMDR in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Case Study

Abstract: This article presents a case study applying Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in major depressive disorder. The study describes the application of Shapiro's Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model in the treatment of major depressive disorder and explores the use of EMDR with a 30 year old woman experiencing depressive symptoms with 3 suicidal attempts in 5 years. Due to strong negative reactions to psychiatric medicines, her treatment was discontinued several times and she was referred for psychotherapeutic intervention. After 9 EMDR treatment sessions, her depression was completely cured; her coping improved and other symptoms of anxiety and social withdrawal were completely controlled. Effects were checked and found maintained up to 6 months follow up. The clinical implications of application of EMDR have been explored.

Effects of Burden on Negative Emotional States in Spouses of Chronic Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract: Spouses of chronic schizophrenic patients experience considerable burden of care. The family members of schizophrenic patients are also observed to have emotional problems. This paper addresses to what extent burden of care predict negative emotional states in spouses of chronic schizophrenic patients. 120 spouses of chronic schizophrenic patients drawn from a psychiatric institute served as the study sample. Burden was measured through Burden Assessment Schedule and negative emotional states were assessed through Eight State Questionnaire. The application of regression model indicated that burden of care significantly predicted anxiety, regression and guilt in the spouses of chronic schizophrenic patients.