Bahria Journal of Professional Psychology

21-30

Authors: Sonia Mukhtar

Need of school counseling has grown rapidly in various countries. This article ascertains principal dilemmas in School Counseling in Pakistan that were identified through panel discussions, focus groups, and dialogues held with academic psychologists (n=6; teaching school counseling with basic training), undergraduate students (n=2; intends to choose school counseling as majors), graduate students (n=4; major school counseling), and practicing professional school psychologist (n=3). The findings highlight the Internal Dilemma, including ideational process, personal improvement, completion purpose of professional school counseling, training requisite, pedagogical apprehensions, pragmatic action research, school counseling services to rural and urban areas, and dissemination of awareness about school counseling to society; External Dilemma, including course contents’ upgrading, creative pedagogy, specialized training in school counseling, obscure research methods (laboratory experiments, neuropsychological research), the feasibility of research in a developing country, and cross-cultural framework in the theory-practice discrepancy, and System Dilemma referring to the school counseling specialization and training programs in Pakistan. The preliminary analysis indicated the discrepancy in school counseling in terms of specialization, needs, and availability of school counseling psychologists. Currently, there is a serious need of specialization in school counseling in Pakistan. Few propositions towards addressing the issues are discussed.

55-70

Authors: Fozia Aamir Siddiqui; Nagina Parveen Soomro

Present study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence; problem focused coping strategy, occupational stress and active avoidance coping strategy among female School teachers of District Hyderabad through a quantitative correlational research. The participants of the present study comprised of 968 female government school teachers, between 22 to 52 years of age (M=36.07, SD=19.85). Simple random sampling was used for data collection. It is being hypothesized that the emotional intelligence of female teachers will be negatively correlated with occupational stress and positively correlated with problem focused coping strategy. Moreover, occupational stress would be positively correlated with active avoidance coping strategy. To test these hypotheses four measuring tools were used that is, Occupational Stress Scale (Sohail & Khanum, 2000), Self-Report Measure of Emotional Intelligence (Khan & Kamal 2010), Brief Cope Scale (Akhtar, 2005) and Personal Information Questionnaire. Findings of the present study supported the hypotheses and have important implications for educational sector, particularly for teachers’ training and development.

95-118

Authors: Tooba Farooqi; Anila Amber Malik

The purpose of this paper is to report the initial findings (item analysis & factorial structure) of a study intended to develop an indigenous measure, the Inventory of Character Strengths (ICS) in the Urdu language. A sample of 485 adults from different towns of Karachi, Pakistan, aged from 18-62 years (M=32.71; SD=8.80) were recruited and their responses on a 62 statements item pool were subjected to statistical analysis for item refinement, and then finally, 47 retained item scale was factor analyzed, using Varimax rotation. Items demonstrated good indices of internal consistency (r=.91, p<0.01) and item-total correlations were also within satisfactory range r=.30- r=.54 (p<0.01). Exploratory Factor Analysis resulted in a five-factor solution described as Temperance and humility, Self-regulation, Social facilitation and positivism, Honesty and perseverance, and Inquisitiveness and collaboration. The analysis established culture relevant domains of Character Strengths specific to Pakistani culture.

11-34

Authors: Muhammad Imtiaz Chaudhry and Dr. Shazia Khalid

Present study was designed to develop a test of nonverbal intelligence for youth in group settings for large scale testing and screening of human resource induction. Items were developed to minimize the effect of education and language proficiency. Items of the proposed test were constructed from figurative material and drawings of geometric symbols, shapes, designs and patterns. The theoretical foundation of the test was derived from the Cattell’s (1963)concept of Fluid Intelligence. The test was divided into five subscales i.e. matrices, odd one out, similarity, series and analogies, and consisting ability areas (abstract reasoning, analogical reasoning, working memory, processing and perceptual speed, inductive & deductive reasoning). Research was conducted in three phases. In the first phase of the main study 200 items were developed and presented to subject matter experts (SMEs) for their opinion (qualitative analysis/ content validity). In the second phase, two studies were conducted. Firstly try out testing was conducted on a sample of N=100 students of Army Public College, Malir to assess the feasibility of test format, clarity and comprehension of items and test instructions. Item strength and distracter analysis were also carried out. Second study was conducted for item analysis on a randomly selected sample of N=300 intermediate level college students of Faisalabad. Item analysis was carried out to estimate the difficulty level, discrimination index and internal consistency (quantitative analysis). Items with difficulty level range between 0.30-0.70, discrimination index greater than 0.30 and item to total correlation values greater than 0.30 were retained. After data analysis 80 items were found fulfilling the set criterion for fair item selection. Items were arranged in relative order of difficulty and the final draft of the test was prepared. In the third phase of the main study, test taking time was estimated for each subtest and full test. The time limit for the test was decided to be 30 minutes. Current research provides a valid and reliable tool for the measurement of non-verbal intelligence in youth in a group setting.

51-62

Authors: Noorulain Bakhtawar Siddiqui, Prof. Dr. NaginaParveen and Dr. Muniza Malik

The study aimed to investigate the relationship of emotional intelligence with parental attachment among university students. The Participants of the study consisted of N=200 participants including both genders (Male n=100 & Female n=100). Data was collected through simple random sampling from University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Two questionnaires namely, Parental Attachment Questionnaire, and Emotional Intelligence scale were administered on the participants. Findings of the study revealed that parental attachment, parental social support, and parent as facilitator of independence are positively correlated with emotional intelligence of university students. Moreover, significant gender differences in parental attachment were apparent where females perceived their parents as more facilitating and supportive. Implications of the study are useful for the parenting, family therapy and student counselling.

77-102

Authors: Rubia Munir, Shahza Aqil, Sukaina Kasem, Muhammad Daniyal Mughal & Sidra Shoaib

The current research aimed to explore the relationship of Spirituality, Closeness to God and Identity Achievement among Adolescents in a quantitative correlational research survey design. Through purposive convenient sampling, adolescents N=350 (Male n=208 & Female n=142) were approached; age ranging from 15-21 years (M=17.99, SD=1.79), from different educational institutes of Karachi. Data was collected through Daily Spiritual Experience Scale and Ego Identity Process Questionnaire. It was hypothesized that there will be a positive relationship between Spirituality, Closeness to God and Identity Achievement (Exploration & Commitment) and that adolescents with different levels of spirituality will differ in the levels of identity achievement. The findings revealed a significant weak positive relationship of Commitment with spirituality and Closeness to God, while no significant relationship between Exploration and Spirituality was found and there is a significant weak negative relationship between Closeness to God and Exploration. It can be interpreted that there is a weak partial positive relationship between Spirituality and Identity Achievement. Findings also revealed significant differences in the levels of commitment of adolescents with different levels of spirituality (Ƞ2=.04) and levels of closeness to God (Ƞ2=.05). Current findings have implications in educational settings, curriculum development and counselling.