Aim and Objectives: This paper aims to discuss and highlight the need for developmentally age app... more Aim and Objectives: This paper aims to discuss and highlight the need for developmentally age appropriate counseling for children and adolescents. Methodology: Case studies are used as a qualitative tool to understand issues that need age appropriate counseling intervention for children facing advanced life threatening illness. Key issues regarding comprehension of their condition, and coping devices to handle the resultant emotions are presented. Summary and Conclusions: The need for age appropriate development counseling is highlighted. Case studies are used to illustrate the child's understanding of his/her condition and the counselor's understanding of the latter.
International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, Mar 25, 2015
Education is one of the stressful life events for adolescents. This stress increases for those wh... more Education is one of the stressful life events for adolescents. This stress increases for those who are suffering from different mental disorders. A prospective study of 31 students suffering from different mental disorders from the educational institutions for the past 3 years was undertaken. These students were followed up for the entire academic year by the college counsellors. Results suggest that systematic intervention with co-ordination between teachers and counsellors play an important role in improving the academic adjustment and performance of students with different mental disorders.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Li... more This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ... Family members and caregivers may misinterpret ...
This review article focuses on a number of behavioral addictions that involve the use of technolo... more This review article focuses on a number of behavioral addictions that involve the use of technology, rather than the use of substances or drugs of abuse. Much debate has evolved around the overuse of social media and the Internet, smartphones and screens of all sorts, addiction to pornography, online gaming, gambling, and even shopping. The article outlines neuropsychological studies which explain the brain basis of these addictions and focuses on psychosocial interventions which may provide relief to the addict. Dopamine and serotonin are seen to play a major role in addictive disorders, and dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway involved in gambling addiction is similar to those involved in substance-based addictions. Impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of gambling disorder can be due to changes in the fronto-striatal circuits. The ventral striatum is seen to drive behavior and the prefrontal components involving ventromedial prefrontal cortex fail to control inhibitions. Altered...
The main goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas... more The main goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Coping Style in Iran and India and to compare mild & moderately depressed, young & older women. The tools of this research were Beck Depression Inventory, Young Schema Questionnaire, Young-Rygh Avoidance Inventory, and Young Compensation Inventory were administered to depressed women residing in Iran and India that were randomly selected n = 200. The age group of sample was 16-60 India (M=30.26 SD=11.45) and Iran (M=31.92 SD=10.08). Data analyses comprised of the methods of descriptive statistics and deductive statistics. Pearson Correlation was obtained between the Subjugation, Failure to achieve, and Unrelenting Standards schemas and compensation subscales in the total group. In addition, the comparison between two countries showed that the correlation between compensation subscales in women from India was higher than women from Iran. In the total group, it was showed a correlatio...
SUMMARY Many research findings have shown that the presence of a schizophrenic patient in the fam... more SUMMARY Many research findings have shown that the presence of a schizophrenic patient in the family proves very stressful for each individual family member, as well as for the network of family relationships. This paper outlines the proceedings of an innovative one-day program in family psychoeducation. Program content and participant responses are described; the need for the organization of further such programs for the dissemination of information are highlighted.
Nation-Building, Education and Culture in India and Canada
Background Work Done in India: The Indian partner of the SICRG-funded project has done work in th... more Background Work Done in India: The Indian partner of the SICRG-funded project has done work in the area of de-stigmatization of mental illness. The Prakashdoot project, which aims at spreading public awareness about depression and alcohol use in a difficult to access population through use of a DVD followed by FAQs, is described. Prakashdoot DVDs show impact on public understanding of mental distress and pave the way to a less stigmatizing society. Dwij Puraskar, another effort along similar lines, with a difference, is also described. Stigma is a complex construct with cognitive (stereotypic beliefs), affective (fear, shame, embarrassment), and behavioral (avoidance—social distance) components (Sovani 2009). Finally, the paper ends with narratives emerging from roundtables held with students from India studying psychology and education. Jorm (2000) introduced the concept of mental health literacy, defining it as public knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders. Its components are the ability to recognize disorders, beliefs about causes, knowledge about self-help and professional interventions, and attitudes that facilitate help seeking. Background Work Done in Canada: The Canadian partner of the same SICRG-funded project has done prior work in the area of inclusion and exclusion under the Belonging project. Photographs are used as a way to develop a visual portrayal of where students feel included and excluded, using a photovoice methodology (Cabassa et al. 2013, Catalani and Minkler 2010). In a workshop conducted in Vancouver in July 2016, both Dr. Sovani and Dr. Stack spoke of their experiences while working with marginalized communities in India and Canada, respectively. Dr. Sovani used a unique presentation style that comprised entirely of picture slides and no text. She used this to illustrate how the experience of a group such as persons with chronic mental illness can be de-stigmatized using unique public awareness strategies and went on to describe to the largely Canadian audience what efforts were being made at the Institute for Psychological Health. Interestingly, the participants in the workshop had no difficulty at all understanding the predicament of a person with chronic mental illness and the efforts that need to be taken by the patient, the caregiver as well as society to ensure their smooth inclusion back into the social fabric. The universality of the experience of stigma thus came through very clearly. As a counterpoint, Dr. Michelle Stack and her students discussed how native Indian populations get marginalized on their own land and the manner in which people identify them by their rather unique facial features which stand apart from the Caucasian look of others who settled in Canada much later. Many participants then shared personal stories of both kinds, viz. struggling with societal nonacceptance, and consequently, personal nonacceptance, of their mentally ill or American Indian native status. Current Work: Challenging stigmatizing narratives about mental illness is key to the wellness of communities (Wahl 2003). Through our work, we test methods to assist professionals and students to de-stigmatize their language with an aim of expanding public understandings of mental health. Work on the SICRG project involves initial roundtables with students of psychology, education, and media, which have commenced at both study sites, i.e., India and Canada, using news media portrayals. This paper will highlight some of the trends that are emerging from all three groups. Implications are also discussed vis-a-vis student mental health (Stack 2007) and public awareness and sensitivity. As part of the SICI project, the two researchers actively engaged with students from the “other culture,” i.e., Dr. Sovani with the Canadian students and Dr. Stack with the Indian students. The processes involved are described.
Origins of family therapy are traced, acknowledging that this is in fact a group of therapeutic a... more Origins of family therapy are traced, acknowledging that this is in fact a group of therapeutic approaches. An overview of work done at major mental health centers in India is followed by an attempt at outlining key differences in Indian vis-a-vis Western approaches to family therapy, addressing some of the unique problems that are encountered in our country. Traditional systems of arranged marriage and a joint family, in vitro fertilization interventions and the family pressures to have a baby, the impact of work on family life and the onslaught of social media and family migrations across the globe are some of the issues outlined. Major approaches to family therapy are selected, and their key features are highlighted. Specifically, Minuchin's structural family therapy and Virginia Satir's conjoint family therapy are described. Touching very briefly on Milton Erickson's strategic family therapy, the article moves on to White and Epston's narrative family therapy; and each approach is described vis-a-vis its strengths when applied to an Indian family setup. The article ends on preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative approaches espoused by the author as also by many therapists in India. Behavioral family interventions by Sanders are outlined as is the positive parenting program and its Indian avatar in Palakshaala. Preventive approaches such as functional family therapy by Sexton and Alexander are described. Rehabilitative work with patients and caregivers is outlined, citing examples. The article ends by highlighting some recent changes in the social fabric that seem to be deeply affecting family structures.
The present investigation examined test anxiety in Indian children from a cross-cultural perspect... more The present investigation examined test anxiety in Indian children from a cross-cultural perspective. Test anxiety has been studied extensively in western countries but much less so in eastern countries. Furthermore, the cross-cultural research conducted in eastern countries possesses significant limitations and continues to possess a western bias. The present research attempted to advance cross-cultural research on test anxiety by adopting Berry's imposed etic-emic-derived etic methodology. Participants included 231 schoolchildren. Qualitative data were collected to examine culture-specific variables (emic considerations) using structured focus groups and open-ended questions. Next, quantitative data were collected using translated and adapted versions of Spielberger's Test Anxiety Inventory and the FRIEDBEN Test Anxiety Scale. Qualitative data indicated culture-specific elements of test anxiety in Indian youth, including the high stakes associated with exam performance and future schooling as well as the role of somatization and social derogation in the phenomenological experience of test anxiety. Although quantitative findings failed to confirm the importance of high-stakes environments on test anxiety, the importance of somatization and social derogation was substantiated. Ongoing desensitization to test anxiety and enhanced coping responses were proposed as possible explanations for the obtained relations.
Aim and Objectives: This paper aims to discuss and highlight the need for developmentally age app... more Aim and Objectives: This paper aims to discuss and highlight the need for developmentally age appropriate counseling for children and adolescents. Methodology: Case studies are used as a qualitative tool to understand issues that need age appropriate counseling intervention for children facing advanced life threatening illness. Key issues regarding comprehension of their condition, and coping devices to handle the resultant emotions are presented. Summary and Conclusions: The need for age appropriate development counseling is highlighted. Case studies are used to illustrate the child's understanding of his/her condition and the counselor's understanding of the latter.
International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, Mar 25, 2015
Education is one of the stressful life events for adolescents. This stress increases for those wh... more Education is one of the stressful life events for adolescents. This stress increases for those who are suffering from different mental disorders. A prospective study of 31 students suffering from different mental disorders from the educational institutions for the past 3 years was undertaken. These students were followed up for the entire academic year by the college counsellors. Results suggest that systematic intervention with co-ordination between teachers and counsellors play an important role in improving the academic adjustment and performance of students with different mental disorders.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Li... more This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ... Family members and caregivers may misinterpret ...
This review article focuses on a number of behavioral addictions that involve the use of technolo... more This review article focuses on a number of behavioral addictions that involve the use of technology, rather than the use of substances or drugs of abuse. Much debate has evolved around the overuse of social media and the Internet, smartphones and screens of all sorts, addiction to pornography, online gaming, gambling, and even shopping. The article outlines neuropsychological studies which explain the brain basis of these addictions and focuses on psychosocial interventions which may provide relief to the addict. Dopamine and serotonin are seen to play a major role in addictive disorders, and dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway involved in gambling addiction is similar to those involved in substance-based addictions. Impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of gambling disorder can be due to changes in the fronto-striatal circuits. The ventral striatum is seen to drive behavior and the prefrontal components involving ventromedial prefrontal cortex fail to control inhibitions. Altered...
The main goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas... more The main goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Coping Style in Iran and India and to compare mild & moderately depressed, young & older women. The tools of this research were Beck Depression Inventory, Young Schema Questionnaire, Young-Rygh Avoidance Inventory, and Young Compensation Inventory were administered to depressed women residing in Iran and India that were randomly selected n = 200. The age group of sample was 16-60 India (M=30.26 SD=11.45) and Iran (M=31.92 SD=10.08). Data analyses comprised of the methods of descriptive statistics and deductive statistics. Pearson Correlation was obtained between the Subjugation, Failure to achieve, and Unrelenting Standards schemas and compensation subscales in the total group. In addition, the comparison between two countries showed that the correlation between compensation subscales in women from India was higher than women from Iran. In the total group, it was showed a correlatio...
SUMMARY Many research findings have shown that the presence of a schizophrenic patient in the fam... more SUMMARY Many research findings have shown that the presence of a schizophrenic patient in the family proves very stressful for each individual family member, as well as for the network of family relationships. This paper outlines the proceedings of an innovative one-day program in family psychoeducation. Program content and participant responses are described; the need for the organization of further such programs for the dissemination of information are highlighted.
Nation-Building, Education and Culture in India and Canada
Background Work Done in India: The Indian partner of the SICRG-funded project has done work in th... more Background Work Done in India: The Indian partner of the SICRG-funded project has done work in the area of de-stigmatization of mental illness. The Prakashdoot project, which aims at spreading public awareness about depression and alcohol use in a difficult to access population through use of a DVD followed by FAQs, is described. Prakashdoot DVDs show impact on public understanding of mental distress and pave the way to a less stigmatizing society. Dwij Puraskar, another effort along similar lines, with a difference, is also described. Stigma is a complex construct with cognitive (stereotypic beliefs), affective (fear, shame, embarrassment), and behavioral (avoidance—social distance) components (Sovani 2009). Finally, the paper ends with narratives emerging from roundtables held with students from India studying psychology and education. Jorm (2000) introduced the concept of mental health literacy, defining it as public knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders. Its components are the ability to recognize disorders, beliefs about causes, knowledge about self-help and professional interventions, and attitudes that facilitate help seeking. Background Work Done in Canada: The Canadian partner of the same SICRG-funded project has done prior work in the area of inclusion and exclusion under the Belonging project. Photographs are used as a way to develop a visual portrayal of where students feel included and excluded, using a photovoice methodology (Cabassa et al. 2013, Catalani and Minkler 2010). In a workshop conducted in Vancouver in July 2016, both Dr. Sovani and Dr. Stack spoke of their experiences while working with marginalized communities in India and Canada, respectively. Dr. Sovani used a unique presentation style that comprised entirely of picture slides and no text. She used this to illustrate how the experience of a group such as persons with chronic mental illness can be de-stigmatized using unique public awareness strategies and went on to describe to the largely Canadian audience what efforts were being made at the Institute for Psychological Health. Interestingly, the participants in the workshop had no difficulty at all understanding the predicament of a person with chronic mental illness and the efforts that need to be taken by the patient, the caregiver as well as society to ensure their smooth inclusion back into the social fabric. The universality of the experience of stigma thus came through very clearly. As a counterpoint, Dr. Michelle Stack and her students discussed how native Indian populations get marginalized on their own land and the manner in which people identify them by their rather unique facial features which stand apart from the Caucasian look of others who settled in Canada much later. Many participants then shared personal stories of both kinds, viz. struggling with societal nonacceptance, and consequently, personal nonacceptance, of their mentally ill or American Indian native status. Current Work: Challenging stigmatizing narratives about mental illness is key to the wellness of communities (Wahl 2003). Through our work, we test methods to assist professionals and students to de-stigmatize their language with an aim of expanding public understandings of mental health. Work on the SICRG project involves initial roundtables with students of psychology, education, and media, which have commenced at both study sites, i.e., India and Canada, using news media portrayals. This paper will highlight some of the trends that are emerging from all three groups. Implications are also discussed vis-a-vis student mental health (Stack 2007) and public awareness and sensitivity. As part of the SICI project, the two researchers actively engaged with students from the “other culture,” i.e., Dr. Sovani with the Canadian students and Dr. Stack with the Indian students. The processes involved are described.
Origins of family therapy are traced, acknowledging that this is in fact a group of therapeutic a... more Origins of family therapy are traced, acknowledging that this is in fact a group of therapeutic approaches. An overview of work done at major mental health centers in India is followed by an attempt at outlining key differences in Indian vis-a-vis Western approaches to family therapy, addressing some of the unique problems that are encountered in our country. Traditional systems of arranged marriage and a joint family, in vitro fertilization interventions and the family pressures to have a baby, the impact of work on family life and the onslaught of social media and family migrations across the globe are some of the issues outlined. Major approaches to family therapy are selected, and their key features are highlighted. Specifically, Minuchin's structural family therapy and Virginia Satir's conjoint family therapy are described. Touching very briefly on Milton Erickson's strategic family therapy, the article moves on to White and Epston's narrative family therapy; and each approach is described vis-a-vis its strengths when applied to an Indian family setup. The article ends on preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative approaches espoused by the author as also by many therapists in India. Behavioral family interventions by Sanders are outlined as is the positive parenting program and its Indian avatar in Palakshaala. Preventive approaches such as functional family therapy by Sexton and Alexander are described. Rehabilitative work with patients and caregivers is outlined, citing examples. The article ends by highlighting some recent changes in the social fabric that seem to be deeply affecting family structures.
The present investigation examined test anxiety in Indian children from a cross-cultural perspect... more The present investigation examined test anxiety in Indian children from a cross-cultural perspective. Test anxiety has been studied extensively in western countries but much less so in eastern countries. Furthermore, the cross-cultural research conducted in eastern countries possesses significant limitations and continues to possess a western bias. The present research attempted to advance cross-cultural research on test anxiety by adopting Berry's imposed etic-emic-derived etic methodology. Participants included 231 schoolchildren. Qualitative data were collected to examine culture-specific variables (emic considerations) using structured focus groups and open-ended questions. Next, quantitative data were collected using translated and adapted versions of Spielberger's Test Anxiety Inventory and the FRIEDBEN Test Anxiety Scale. Qualitative data indicated culture-specific elements of test anxiety in Indian youth, including the high stakes associated with exam performance and future schooling as well as the role of somatization and social derogation in the phenomenological experience of test anxiety. Although quantitative findings failed to confirm the importance of high-stakes environments on test anxiety, the importance of somatization and social derogation was substantiated. Ongoing desensitization to test anxiety and enhanced coping responses were proposed as possible explanations for the obtained relations.
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Papers by Anuradha Sovani