Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction among Persons with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Background: Quality of life plays a vital role to improve the life satisfaction of an individual. The increase in quality of life is related to the increase of subjective life satisfaction. There is an existing relationship between quality of life and life satisfaction for persons with alcohol dependence (Frisch et al., 2000). Aim: The aims of the present study was to assess and examine the relationship between Quality of life and life satisfaction among persons with alcohol dependence. Methodology: A total number 30 respondents with alcohol dependence syndrome were taken by using a purposive sampling technique. The samples were collected from MHI (COE), SCBMCH, Cuttack IPD and OPD. The scales such as WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and Life Satisfaction were administered. Result: In this present study it was found that the persons with alcohol dependence scored the poor quality of life in all domains of WHO QOL, as well as life satisfaction scale and also statistically positive significant co-relationbetween quality of life and life satisfaction among persons with alcoholdependence.

Indispensable Quality of a Scholarly Online Journal

It gives me immense pleasure to bring out this issue of the National Journal of Professional Social Work. I would like to first share credit with all the authors who have trusted and submitted their precious work to publish with us. Secondly, I acknowledge the President of ISPSW and patron of this journal who granted permission to publish and entrusted me as Honorary Editor. I am also grateful to all the Executive Committee members for their support and encouragement and my esteemed editorial board members for their prompt and positive response for an extensive review and editing of this journal issue.

Impact of Empowerment Intervention on Recovery and Symptoms Reduction in People with Schizophrenia

Background:Â Around one percent population is affected with Schizophrenia which is a severe mental illness. Typically onset is in late adolescence and remains for a lifetime. Objectives: The current study examined the impact of Empowerment intervention in Schizophrenia. Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experimental, hospital-based intervention study, used purposive sampling to select 15 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted in Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.. Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were administered. The study group received 6 sessions of empowerment intervention over a period of one month. Pre-post measurements were taken. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results: Findings suggested significant improvement in personal confidence, willingness, goal, reliance, and positive and negative syndrome than treatment as usual over a period of one month therapy. Conclusion: Empowerment intervention found to be effective in the management of schizophrenia. Findings indicate viable resource and pathways for future development are suggested.

Adolescent Humour and Its Relationship with Psychological Adjustment

Background: Adolescence is a transition phase towards adulthood. There is a correlation between humour and psychosocial adjustment. Aim: To assess the level of humour among adolescents and to see its relationships with their general psychological adjustment. Methods and Materials: The present study is a cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to select the school and total enumeration method was used for the selection of the respondents (school-going adolescent). School going adolescents between the ages of 13-17 years were included. They were assessed with their consent using a Socio-demographic Datasheet, Richmond Humour Assessment Instrument, Beck Depression Inventory, Interaction Anxiousness Scale, Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire, Academic Expectation Stress Inventory and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Results: Humour has a significant negative correlation with the emotional problems and significant positive correlation with pro-social behaviour and total difficulty score. Moreover, it was found that humour has a significant positive correlation with self-efficacy. In regression analysis, it was found that conduct problems and pro-social behaviour contribute significantly to the prediction of humour among adolescents; though, accounting only for 1.08% variance. Remaining 98.9% was attributed to a variable not included in the study. Conclusion: Humour can lead to an improvement in psychological adjustment among adolescent.

Effectiveness of Social Skills Training in Person with Schizophrenia: A Case Study

Background: Schizophrenia imposes problems in day to day living, community functioning, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving strategies or new skills acquisition. Psychosocial intervention like social skills training helps in the improvement of social skills of the person with schizophrenia. The applicability of social skills training for the patient with poor social skills has been well evidenced in social work practice. Aim: The present case study aimed to improve the social skills of the person with schizophrenia by using social skills training. Methodology: This case study was a single subject case study done in the inpatient department of LGBRIMH, Tezpur. A case diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria was selected. Psychiatric social work assessment was done using clinical and social history proforma, Work Behaviour Inventory, Social Adaptive Functioning Evaluation (SAFE), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Social Skills Checklist was administered before and after the intervention. Based on the assessment social skill training was provided to improve the social skills of the client. Results: There were changes observed in pre and post scores of social functioning, social skills, positive and negative symptoms. Significant changes were noticed in social skills and work functioning. Conclusion: Social skills training is effective and can be provided for improving social skills, for enhancing work behaviour and social functioning.

Social Work Practice: Emerging Trends and Challenges

I recall vividly the first time I visited the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, formerly it was part of Bihar now it is the capital of the state of Jharkhand. The Department, therefore, has to play a lead role, like others, in the field of mental health and social work. Diversity of population of the new state provides a rich context which is indeed challenging. Science and tradition, therefore, have to meet and work together to achieve the goal of enhancing mental health. Field demonstration and social and institutional networking may facilitate new programmes, consolidate earlier ones, and also change policies and streamline programmes of mental health by securing citizen participation.

Predictors of Hopelessness among Youth Living in Slums of Bengaluru City

Background: Hopelessness is more than just a feeling. It is a mental state in which one finds life empty and the future to be meaningless. It can derail one's life altogether. Youth, including those living in slums, have the potential to rise and win over their challenges. However, the feeling of hopelessness can be a significant barrier to break. Objectives: To determine whether there are any differences between demographic and socio-economic variables (independent variable) on more than one continuous dependent variable: resilience and hopelessness score (one-way MANOVA) and to identify the significant predictors of hopelessness among youth living in two slums in Bengaluru city. Methodology: A total of 285 youth living in two slums in Bengaluru city were chosen using simple random sampling. The Beck Hopelessness Scale was used to measure hopelessness among the respondents. Step-wise multiple regression analysis was used to identify the significant predictors of hopelessness among the respondents. Moreover, the unstandardised and standardised regression path analysis was done. Results: The results indicate that lack of education is the biggest significant predictor of hopelessness among the youth living in slums, having about 32 per cent influence (cause) on feelings of hopelessness. Conclusion: The lack of education seems to be a major reason for hopelessness among youth living in slums in the present study.

Effectiveness of Family Therapy on Poor Communication and Family Relationship: An Intervention Study

Background: A structured way of communication can bring clarity of expression between family members which help to maintain the homeostasis in the family. Like communication, there are various other aspects in the family that affects the entire familial relationship, such as cohesion between the members, their way of handling conflict situation and level of expressiveness amongst them. Aim: To evaluate and intervene poor communication and familial relationship through providing family therapy. Methods and Materials: This was an intervention study with a pre-post experimental design. Fifteen families those who had attended the OPD of the Institute of Psychiatry, Kolkata were selected in this study following clear inclusion and exclusion criteria and through purposive sampling technique. After assessing with FCS and BFRS, eclectic family therapy as provided, followed by post-assessment in the same parameters. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The findings reveal that an eclectic family therapeutic approach significantly improved communication level and overall family relationship among the members of the families. Conclusion: The study highlights the impact of communication in a familial relationship in the form of cohesion, expressiveness and conflict resolution through a practical implication of family therapy, which demonstrated to be highly effective.

Magico-religious Beliefs Stigma and Help-seeking Behaviour among the Caregivers of Persons with Schizophrenia

Background: The cultural and traditional aspects of caregivers of people with mental illness have been seen widely, where the faith healers are the immediate source for treatment. Due to poor understanding of mental illness and stigma among caregivers, people often seek traditional help than modern medical treatment. Aim: To assess the Magico-religious beliefs, stigma and help seeking behaviour among the caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. Methods and Materials: Descriptive research design was used. Seventy caregivers of persons with schizophrenia attending the outpatient department of LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Assam were purposefully taken for the study. Socio-demographic datasheet, Family Interview Schedule (stigma section), Super Natural Attitude Questionnaire and General Help Seeking Questionnaire were administered. Results: Prevalence of the stigma was 100%. The majority (80%) of care giver's locality and community believe in Jadu Tona, 75.7% have performed puja/ritual/jhad-phook, 72.9% visited or consulted faith healer, 67.1% talk about or believe in bhoot pret, Jadu Tona (65.7%), Opari kasar (64.3%), 68.6% believed that performing puja/rituals/jhad-phook can change patient's behaviour. Majority 57.6% care giver showed high help-seeking behaviour while 42.4% showed low help-seeking behaviour. Majority of the caregivers seek help from the parents (5.47±1.20). Conclusion: Supernatural beliefs and stigma found to be common among the caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. Caregivers have higher help-seeking behaviour from informal groups than formal groups.