The relationship between self-esteem and gender norm conformity has been one that has changed ove... more The relationship between self-esteem and gender norm conformity has been one that has changed over the years. Due to the dynamic results over different periods of time, the authors found it relevant to conduct a review of literature over a period of 45 years. 44 articles were included in this review from the period 1975-2020. The articles included were mostly empirical ones. We found different models (androgyny, masculinity and congruence) gaining momentum over different time periods. Additionally, we saw how most researchers found a positive connection between masculine gender norm conformity and self-esteem. We showed how the patriarchal system of society and the socio-cultural contexts of different periods of time influenced our findings. We concluded that neither masculinity nor femininity is inherently linked to self-esteem.
Poverty, Somatisation Tendency and Potency in Low-Income Adolescent Groups of India and Israel: Explorations from the Field, 2023
Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well... more Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well-being. The present study on adolescents living in relative poverty in a high-income group country (Israel) and a low-middle-income group country (India) explored the nature of somatisation tendency (ST) and its relationship with potency and perception of poverty (PP). Potency, a buffer against stress-induced negative health effects, was hypothesized to be negatively related to ST and mediate the link between PP and ST. Purposive sampling was used to collect questionnaire-based data from community youth (12–16 years) of two metropolitan cities—Kolkata (India, N = 200) and Tel-Aviv f(Israel, N = 208). The nature of ST, PP and potency was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and correlation-regression statistics and mediation analysis were used to understand the relationship among them. A clinically significant level of ST was reported by both Indian and Israeli youth experiencing 5–7 somatic symptoms on average. Potency was found to be a significant predictor of ST in both countries (p < 0.05) and emerged as a significant mediator (p < 0.001) in the PP and ST relationship among Indian adolescents. The present study highlights potency as a protective buffer in economically vulnerable community adolescents and re-establishes a high prevalence of ST among them, irrespective of their country’s global economic position.
Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well... more Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well-being. The present study on adolescents living in relative poverty in a high-income group country (Israel) and a low-middle-income group country (India) explored the nature of somatisation tendency (ST) and its relationship with potency and perception of poverty (PP). Potency, a buffer against stress-induced negative health effects, was hypothesized to be negatively related to ST and mediate the link between PP and ST. Purposive sampling was used to collect questionnaire-based data from community youth (12–16 years) of two metropolitan cities—Kolkata (India, N = 200) and Tel-Aviv f (Israel, N = 208). The nature of ST, PP and potency was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and correlation-regression statistics and mediation analysis were used to understand the relationship among them. A clinically significant level of ST was reported by both Indian and Israeli youth exp...
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly diverse condition and it remains difficult to predict ... more Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly diverse condition and it remains difficult to predict the likely outcomes for individuals on the basis of early characteristics. In this paper we argue that a fine-grained understanding of individual differences in sensory features and their influence across the life span can assist in planning and predicting clinical pathways for individuals with ASD. We organize our discussion around the following three critical themes: (a) considering the range of sensory features in ASD and their similarities and differences to features in other developmental disorders and in typical development; (b) examining the differences in sensory features between individuals with ASD; and (c) adopting a multi-faceted approach to assessment of sensory features that includes individuals report of their experiences alongside brain imaging technologies and therapist observation. We conclude that future research will need to: 1) use interdisciplinary assessments, 2) track the development of sensory features from early childhood to adulthood, and 3) consider the interaction of sensory features with environment and other autism symptoms. This is a key time for sensory-related research and in this commentary we provide some of the steps that, in our opinion, are required to increase the rigour of research in this area. VC 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research, Jan 25, 2017
Despite housing ∼18% of the world's population, India does not yet have an estimate of preval... more Despite housing ∼18% of the world's population, India does not yet have an estimate of prevalence of autism. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of autism in a selected population of school-children in India. N = 11,849 children (mean age = 5.9 [SD = 1.3], 39.5% females) were selected from various school types from three boroughs in Kolkata, India. Parents/caregivers and teachers filled in the social and communication disorders checklist (SCDC). Children meeting cutoff on parent-reported SCDC were followed up with the social communication questionnaire (SCQ). SCQ-positive children were administered the autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS). Teacher report on SCDC was available on all 11,849 children. Parent-report SCDC scores were obtained for 5,947 children. Mean scores on teacher SCDC were significantly lower than parent SCDC. Out of 1,247 SCDC-positive children, 882 answered the SCQ, of whom 124 met the cutoff score of 15. Six of these children met c...
There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions ... more There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in regional languages in South Asia. To address this, we translated four widely used SDT (Social Communication Disorder Checklist, Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Communication Questionnaire, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) into Bengali and Hindi, two main regional languages (~ 360 million speakers), and tested their usability in children with and without ASC. We found a significant difference in scores between children with ASC (n = 45 in Bengali, n = 40 in Hindi) and typically developing children (n = 43 in Bengali, n = 42 in Hindi) on all SDTs. These results demonstrate that these SDTs are usable in South Asia, and constitute an important resource for epidemiology research and clinical diagnosis in the region.
There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions ... more There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in regional languages in South Asia. To address this, we translated four widely used SDT (Social Communication Disorder Checklist, Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Communication Questionnaire, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) into Bengali and Hindi, two main regional languages (~ 360 million speakers), and tested their usability in children with and without ASC. We found a significant difference in scores between children with ASC (n = 45 in Bengali, n = 40 in Hindi) and typically developing children (n = 43 in Bengali, n = 42 in Hindi) on all SDTs. These results demonstrate that these SDTs are usable in South Asia, and constitute an important resource for epidemiology research and clinical diagnosis in the region.
The relationship between self-esteem and gender norm conformity has been one that has changed ove... more The relationship between self-esteem and gender norm conformity has been one that has changed over the years. Due to the dynamic results over different periods of time, the authors found it relevant to conduct a review of literature over a period of 45 years. 44 articles were included in this review from the period 1975-2020. The articles included were mostly empirical ones. We found different models (androgyny, masculinity and congruence) gaining momentum over different time periods. Additionally, we saw how most researchers found a positive connection between masculine gender norm conformity and self-esteem. We showed how the patriarchal system of society and the socio-cultural contexts of different periods of time influenced our findings. We concluded that neither masculinity nor femininity is inherently linked to self-esteem.
Poverty, Somatisation Tendency and Potency in Low-Income Adolescent Groups of India and Israel: Explorations from the Field, 2023
Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well... more Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well-being. The present study on adolescents living in relative poverty in a high-income group country (Israel) and a low-middle-income group country (India) explored the nature of somatisation tendency (ST) and its relationship with potency and perception of poverty (PP). Potency, a buffer against stress-induced negative health effects, was hypothesized to be negatively related to ST and mediate the link between PP and ST. Purposive sampling was used to collect questionnaire-based data from community youth (12–16 years) of two metropolitan cities—Kolkata (India, N = 200) and Tel-Aviv f(Israel, N = 208). The nature of ST, PP and potency was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and correlation-regression statistics and mediation analysis were used to understand the relationship among them. A clinically significant level of ST was reported by both Indian and Israeli youth experiencing 5–7 somatic symptoms on average. Potency was found to be a significant predictor of ST in both countries (p < 0.05) and emerged as a significant mediator (p < 0.001) in the PP and ST relationship among Indian adolescents. The present study highlights potency as a protective buffer in economically vulnerable community adolescents and re-establishes a high prevalence of ST among them, irrespective of their country’s global economic position.
Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well... more Poverty increases vulnerability towards somatisation and influences the sense of mastery and well-being. The present study on adolescents living in relative poverty in a high-income group country (Israel) and a low-middle-income group country (India) explored the nature of somatisation tendency (ST) and its relationship with potency and perception of poverty (PP). Potency, a buffer against stress-induced negative health effects, was hypothesized to be negatively related to ST and mediate the link between PP and ST. Purposive sampling was used to collect questionnaire-based data from community youth (12–16 years) of two metropolitan cities—Kolkata (India, N = 200) and Tel-Aviv f (Israel, N = 208). The nature of ST, PP and potency was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and correlation-regression statistics and mediation analysis were used to understand the relationship among them. A clinically significant level of ST was reported by both Indian and Israeli youth exp...
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly diverse condition and it remains difficult to predict ... more Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly diverse condition and it remains difficult to predict the likely outcomes for individuals on the basis of early characteristics. In this paper we argue that a fine-grained understanding of individual differences in sensory features and their influence across the life span can assist in planning and predicting clinical pathways for individuals with ASD. We organize our discussion around the following three critical themes: (a) considering the range of sensory features in ASD and their similarities and differences to features in other developmental disorders and in typical development; (b) examining the differences in sensory features between individuals with ASD; and (c) adopting a multi-faceted approach to assessment of sensory features that includes individuals report of their experiences alongside brain imaging technologies and therapist observation. We conclude that future research will need to: 1) use interdisciplinary assessments, 2) track the development of sensory features from early childhood to adulthood, and 3) consider the interaction of sensory features with environment and other autism symptoms. This is a key time for sensory-related research and in this commentary we provide some of the steps that, in our opinion, are required to increase the rigour of research in this area. VC 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research, Jan 25, 2017
Despite housing ∼18% of the world's population, India does not yet have an estimate of preval... more Despite housing ∼18% of the world's population, India does not yet have an estimate of prevalence of autism. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of autism in a selected population of school-children in India. N = 11,849 children (mean age = 5.9 [SD = 1.3], 39.5% females) were selected from various school types from three boroughs in Kolkata, India. Parents/caregivers and teachers filled in the social and communication disorders checklist (SCDC). Children meeting cutoff on parent-reported SCDC were followed up with the social communication questionnaire (SCQ). SCQ-positive children were administered the autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS). Teacher report on SCDC was available on all 11,849 children. Parent-report SCDC scores were obtained for 5,947 children. Mean scores on teacher SCDC were significantly lower than parent SCDC. Out of 1,247 SCDC-positive children, 882 answered the SCQ, of whom 124 met the cutoff score of 15. Six of these children met c...
There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions ... more There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in regional languages in South Asia. To address this, we translated four widely used SDT (Social Communication Disorder Checklist, Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Communication Questionnaire, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) into Bengali and Hindi, two main regional languages (~ 360 million speakers), and tested their usability in children with and without ASC. We found a significant difference in scores between children with ASC (n = 45 in Bengali, n = 40 in Hindi) and typically developing children (n = 43 in Bengali, n = 42 in Hindi) on all SDTs. These results demonstrate that these SDTs are usable in South Asia, and constitute an important resource for epidemiology research and clinical diagnosis in the region.
There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions ... more There is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools (SDT) for autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in regional languages in South Asia. To address this, we translated four widely used SDT (Social Communication Disorder Checklist, Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Communication Questionnaire, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) into Bengali and Hindi, two main regional languages (~ 360 million speakers), and tested their usability in children with and without ASC. We found a significant difference in scores between children with ASC (n = 45 in Bengali, n = 40 in Hindi) and typically developing children (n = 43 in Bengali, n = 42 in Hindi) on all SDTs. These results demonstrate that these SDTs are usable in South Asia, and constitute an important resource for epidemiology research and clinical diagnosis in the region.
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Papers by Saoni Banerjee