Bahria Journal of Professional Psychology

Number 1, 2015

1-21
Suicide Risk among Individuals with HIV/AIDS

Authors: Ishrat Rizwan and Erum Irshad

Abstract

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Number of views: 459

The study was carried out to investigate suicide risk among HIV/AIDS individuals in comparison with HIV negative individuals. The sample of the present study comprised of two hundred participants (N = 200), including two groups: hundred people diagnosed as HIV positive, and hundred people diagnosed as HIV negative. In both groups, male and female adults were ranging in ages between twenty to fifty years with educational background of primary, intermediate and above, from Peshawar and Islamabad. The Suicide Probability Scale and a self-constructed structured interview was administered individually and sought out demographic information from the participants. This helped in the collection of qualitative data pertaining to their physical illness as well as the extent of their emotional disturbance. t-test analysis was carried out to analyze the data. Results indicated significant differences among people diagnosed as HIV positive and people diagnosed as HIV negative on the suicide probability scale (t = 8.534, df = 196, p<.001). It is concluded that the rate of suicide risk was high in people diagnosed as HIV and AIDS. These research findings have implications for endorsing attention to mental health provision, emotional support and social context. Limitations of the present study were also discussed.

22-47
Effect of Birth Order and Gender on Emotional Intelligence of Adolescents

Authors: Khalida Rauf

Abstract

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Number of views: 2123

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of birth order and gender on the emotional intelligence of adolescents. The sample comprised of 200 students from 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade, selected through convenient sampling. To examine the difference among different birth order groups univariate analysis was carried out through SPSS 15.00. The results showed interaction of birth order and gender on emotional intelligence but no main effect was found. No difference was observed among all the groups.

48-71
Self-Evaluations and Adjustment of Traditional and Mature University Students

Authors: Hadia Serwat Pasha and Seema Munaf

Abstract

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Number of views: 433

The association between global self-esteem and overall adjustment and the association between identity integration and institutional attachment/commitment was examined in traditional and mature university students. 165 students of first semester Masters (83 traditional and 82 mature) from six universities participated in this study. Traditional students were 21-23 years of age (M = 22, SD = .73), with a linear pattern of education without any gap, whereas mature students were aged 25 years or older (M = 31, SD = 7.42), and had returned to their education after a gap of minimum two years. The Multi-dimensional Self-Esteem Inventory, and Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire were administered for assessment. Bivariate analysis of the scores of students on these scales indicated a significant positive relationship between global self-esteem and overall adjustment for both groups, whereas identity integration correlated significantly and positively with institutional attachment/commitment for mature students but not for traditional students. Related factors for these findings and their implications are discussed in the last section of the study.

72-89
Student Teachers Attitudes towards Inclusion in Pakistan

Authors: Sadia Shaukat and Khalid Rasheed

Abstract

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Number of views: 665

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of student teachers towards inclusion. A sample of 23 male and 117 female student teachers were selected from a public sector university of Lahore district. The ultimate aim of the study was to determine the attitudes of student teachers enrolled in general and special teacher education programs. The sample was distributed across general teacher education and special teacher education programs; namely the four courses of B. Ed General, B. Ed Special, M. Ed General and M. Ed Special. Student teachers’ responses were obtained on Attitudes towards Inclusion Scale; a five-point Likert scale for the six factors of inclusive practices, inclusive concept, inclusive instruction, inclusive education, inclusive classroom management and inclusive teaching efficacy. ANOVA and t-test were used to interpret the results of the study. Results indicated only one gender difference; that female student teachers held significantly more inclusive concepts than males. Students enrolled in M. Ed special program showed significantly more positive attitudes towards inclusive practices and inclusive instruction. Regarding the confidence level to teach children with disabilities, students with high level of confidence showed higher ratings to inclusive practices and inclusive concept. Students with prior experience to teach children with disabilities showed more positive attitudes towards inclusive practices and inclusive concept. This research study recommends policy makers and teacher educators to reform the teacher education program by incorporating inclusive education as a compulsory subject in general teacher education programs to develop positive attitudes towards inclusion.

90-104
A Comparison of Executive Functioning between Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders

Authors: Rizwana Zahid Siddiqui and Munazza Mehmood Qureshi

Abstract

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Number of views: 374

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of executive functioning between two psychiatric disorders; schizophrenia and bipolar. It was hypothesized that executive functioning will be more impaired in patients with schizophrenia as compared to patients with bipolar disorder. The sample comprised of 120 participants; including 60 individuals with schizophrenia and 60 with bipolar disorder. The ages of the participants ranged between 18 to 35 years. In order to collect data the purposive sampling method was used. A demographic information form was used to determine the pre-requisite information and selection criteria for the research. To assess the executive functioning, cognitive symptoms checklist (CSC) was used. The data was collected from different psychiatric hospitals in Karachi city. For the statistical analysis, a t- test was computed to find out the difference between the two groups. Results indicate significant difference between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients [t = 4.059, df = 118, p < 0.05]. Moreover mean scores showing more impairment in executive functioning among the schizophrenic patients (M = 26.05) as compared to patients with bipolar disorder (M = 14.17).

105-122
Job Satisfaction and Perceived Organizational Support as a Susceptibility Factor of the Intention to Quit: A Cross Cultural Study

Authors: Farah Khan and Uzma Ali

Abstract

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Number of views: 712

Organizational support has been accredited valuable consideration due to its profound impact on the workplace. Job satisfaction has been observed to be influenced by how supportive a work setting is perceived to be. Moreover, organizational support has been observed to influence the intention to quit. The present study investigated employee’s satisfaction with their jobs and intention to quit and the mediating role of perceived organizational support. A sample of 146 participants was collected from organizations. A data of 73 participants were collected from Karachi, Pakistan and 73 participants were collected from Abu Dhabi, UAE. Administration of the research measure on participants included: Demographic Details, the Global Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (GJSQ), Perceived Organizational Support Scale (POSS) and Intention to Quit Scale. It was found that job satisfaction significantly predicts the intention to quit and perceived organizational support (p <.000). Moreover, perceived organizational support predicts intention to quit (p <.000) significantly. However, perceived organizational support doesn’t mediate the relationship between job satisfaction and the intention to quit (p >.05).