DEEPA K DAMODARAN

To analyze the pattern in which home environment affected various aspects of psychological well-being of adolescents,153 higher secondary school students were selected  randomly from five schools of Kerala state. Data collected using psychological well-being scale and home environment inventory, on analysis, revealed significant correlations between the subscales of both measurements. As per multiple regressions, negative HE mainly affected the “interpersonal-relation” and “sociability” levels of adolescents. Disciplinary variables showed significant predictive power in “satisfaction”, “sociability”, and “interpersonal relationship” aspects of psychological well-being. Meanwhile, Positive HE variables exhibited significant predictive power in all the five aspects of psychological well-being. Demographic variables hadn’t any significant effect on psychological well-being. Counselors, parents, teachers and other caretakers will be benefitted from these revelations about the subtle env...

Background: The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) significantly determines whether an individual will be functional or dysfunctional in adulthood. 
Aims: The current study examines the prevalence and the socio-demographic correlates of ACEs.  It also estimates  the relative risk for ACEs and the risk for major depression in adulthood with respect to the significant socio-demographic factors.
Methods: Data collected using a Demographic proforma and Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse Questionnaire-2 from 600 youth, selected through multi-stage stratified sampling from selected educational institutions in Kerala, South India, were analyzed using SPSS-20. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Odds Ratio from Risk analysis) were used.
Results: ACEs were highly prevalent (91%) among youth and more than half of them had experienced three or more ACEs. In the case of ACE severity, gender was significantly associated with psychological abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. Males had exposure to more severe ACEs than females. The odds of having physical and sexual abuses, and risk for major depression in adulthood were significantly greater (two times) among males than females. Further, the odds of experiencing antipathy, sexual and psychological abuses (two times), physical abuse (three times), and, risk for major depression in adulthood (four times)  were significantly greater among youth with family dysfunction than those without it.
Conclusions: Irrespective of gender, Kerala’s youth have exposure to multiple ACEs. However, males and those with family dysfunction are at greater risk (physical and sexual abuses, and major depression in adulthood). It highlights the need for specific efforts and policies for prevention of ACEs.

Key words: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Child maltreatment, Child abuse, Mental health, Youth.

Mental health is clearly an integral part of health. There is no health without mental health. It is
the foundation of well-being and effective functioning for an individual and for a community.
Mental health and mental illnesses are determined by the interaction of multiple social,
psychological and biological factors. The current study focuses on the gender differences in
mental health among youth in Kerala. The participants consisted of 211 undergraduate students
between 18 and 24 years. The data were collected using the Demographic proforma and the
Mental Health Inventory (MHI). Results showed that youth in Kerala had average mental health.
There were no significant associations between demographic characteristics and mental health.
Independent sample t test revealed no significant gender difference in overall mental health but
gender difference was observed in General positive affect. General positive affect was greater
among males than in females. Findings of the current study conclude that male and female youth
of Kerala do not differ in terms of their mental health. Limitations, strengths, and implications of
the findings are discussed in detail.

One’s Subjective Well-Being (SWB) is influenced by an array of both external and internal factors, and personality factors have an important role. The current study explores the SWB of nurses in relation to their personality. The objective was to determine the nature of personality orientations of staff nurses and, to compare these with respect to their SWB. Demographic proforma, Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire- (Revised) and Subjective Well-Being Inventory (SUBI) were administered to 157 nurses who were selected through convenience sampling technique from a selected Medical College Hospital. One-way ANOVA evaluating the relationship of personality dimensions on SWB showed that there were significant differences in SWB between the high and low groups of extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism dimensions. While high extraverts had greater SWB, nurses who were high on neuroticism and psychoticism had lower levels of SWB. Findings reveal the possible significant influence of one’s predominant personality trait on SWB and emphasize the need to plan and implement measures to improve nurses’ well-being. It is essential to consider personality and SWB during pre-employment screening, career guidance of novices in the field, and while evaluating their job satisfaction.

Mental health is part of an individual’s capacity to lead a happy and fulfilling life. Disturbances to an individual’s mental
health compromise these capacities. Personality has been defined variously as a set of learned behaviours, as a set of traits,
or as a structure that organizes and integrates experience. The current study examined the influencing role of personality on
the mental among youth in Kerala. The participants consisted of 211 undergraduate students between 18 to 24 years. The
data were collected using the Mental Health Inventory and Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire- Revised. The results
revealed that among Eysenck’s personality traits, Neuroticism significantly influences the mental health. The mean Global
Mental health Index score was greater in the low neurotic group. There was no significant difference in overall mental health
among youth in terms of Extraversion and Psychotism dimensions of personality. The results of the study conclude that
mental health of Kerlite youth significantly differ based on their personality orientation and Neuroticism trait significantly
influences mental health. The findings suggest the need for more effective mental health promotion and illness prevention
approaches considering individual differences in terms of personality.

Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a family-centered therapeutic approach designed for families with children
who are experiencing a broad range of behavioural, emotional and family problems. Proposed by Eyberg et al in 1995
emphasizes on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction patterns.
The goals of PCIT are to improve the quality of the parent-child relationship and, both child and family functioning;
decrease the child behavior problems with an increase in prosocial behaviors; improve parenting skills, including
positive discipline and
reduce parenting stress. The characteristic feature of this approach is the use of live coaching
and the treatment of both parent and child together. PCIT has rich theoretical background and it consists of two
components: child directed interaction and parent directed interaction. Though it has certain contraindications and
limitations like very young children, parental psychological problems or lack of contact with the child, and abusive
parents, it is beneficial to manage several behaviour and relationship problems of children and parents. Application of
PCIT are also detailed in the article.

Mental health is found to be reinforced by personality traits and among the Eysenck’s personality traits Neuroticism has a significant inverse influence on the behaviour. The current study examines the influence of neurotic personality dimension on the mental health among the youth in Kerala. The participants consisted of 211 undergraduate students between 18 to 24 years. The data were collected using the Mental Health Inventory and Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire-R, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of MANOVA revealed that mental health of youth significantly differ based on neurotic dimension of their personality. The mean mental health index score was low among the high neurotics compared to the low neurotics. The results of Discriminant Analysis showed that among six dimensions of mental health, anxiety and, loss of emotional and behavioural control contribute more to discriminate the high and low Neuroticism groups. On an average, 73% of subjects originally grouped as belonging to high and low Neuroticism groups were correctly classified. The findings suggest the need for incorporating personality as a core variable in mental health promotion and illness prevention approaches to account for individual differences in thinking, feeling and behaviour.

Clinical practice is a significant and essential part of a student nurses' education Various factors related to teachers,
patients, hospital staff, peer group and those related to oneself influence the quality of clinical training. First year
student nurses, who are directly from the school environment face a lot of anxiety producing and stressful experiences
when they are exposed to the clinical learning environment. The qualitative study was conducted using
phenomenological design in which the 1st year B.Sc. Nursing students’ experiences regarding clinical learning were
explored. Fifteen participants were selected using theoretical sampling technique from a selected College of Nursing at
Thrissur, Kerala. The data were collected by administering a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using
Coliazzi’s method of analysis for phenomenological research. Analysis of their feelings to be a nursing student
revealed that majority of them felt ‘happy’ and ‘proud’. Most of them reported various anxiety producing factors
during the clinical work and themes were factors related to the ‘practice’, ‘patients’ and ‘teachers’. Participants
expressed that the ‘uplifting consequences’ and ‘effective caring’ were their most enjoyable experience during clinical
practice. The essence of the phenomenon, experience of being in the clinical learning environment, was to survive in
the situation by being effective in the care giving process. The findings of this study have significant implication in
nursing education, nursing service and nursing administration. First year student nurses need to receive well structured,
problem based preclinical training. Clinical educator must be patient, friendly, understanding and approachable.
Department of nursing education has to establish and maintain a cordial, working relationship with nursing service
department. Special attention can be provided to students experiencing severe stress, anxiety and adjustment problems
through counseling and assisted practice. Through these measures effective clinical training will be enhanced.

Childhood experiences during the early years set a critical foundation for the entire life course, as these shape early child
development which in turn strongly influence one’s health throughout life. Child maltreatment includes all forms of physical
and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in
actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of
responsibility, trust or power. Adverse childhood experiences/ child maltreatment jeopardize the health and well-being of
children and adults. A combination of several factors acting at different levels under the influence of various contexts
determines the likelihood that maltreatment will occur, recur, or stop and also the lasting impact. Nearly 19% of the world's
children who live in India constitute 42 % (more than one third) of India’s total population and around 50 % of these
children are in need of care and protection. Forty percent of India's children are vulnerable to threats such as trafficking,
homelessness, forced labor, drug abuse, and crime, and are in need of protection. This article reviews some key aspects of
this social evil with the aim of providing an understanding about its significance and impact, the extent of the problem in
India, general preventive measures and specific mental health implications.

Mental health is clearly an integral part of health. It is part of an individual‟s capacity to lead a happy and fulfilling life. As a form of child maltreatment psychological abuse can have a significant impact upon the mental health. The current study examined the influencing role of psychological abuse on mental health among 211 Keralite undergraduate youth between 18 to 24 years from data collected using Mental Health Inventory and Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse Questionnaire-2. Results revealed average mental health of youth with no significant gender difference in mental health and in the prevalence of psychological abuse except in its severity from father. Psychological abuse significantly correlated with mental health variables. A 2 way ANOVA showed significant main effect of severe maternal psychological abuse on mental health. Severity of parental psychological abuse significantly predicted poor mental health (18.7% variability). The findings indicate the need for more effective measures to prevent psychological abuse of children.

The present review aims to explore the role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in the education system by highlighting the competencies and skills that are required to augment emotional intelligence and social interaction and, appraising the role of teachers, learning contexts, and family. It draws attention to the core characteristics and the ingredients for the success of SEL programs and, yardsticks for comparison and selection of various frameworks. It discusses the potential limitations in the program implementation and, offers some general considerations relevant to various stakeholders to improve the program effectiveness in educational settings. Under a narrative general review approach, empirical articles, task force reports, and conceptual papers were explored to develop insights into how infusing SEL into the education system help students to learn competencies and skills they need to develop to manage their behaviours and emotions, build connections, and foster resilienc...

Mental health is clearly an integral part of health. It is part of an individual‟s capacity to lead a happy and fulfilling life. As a form of child maltreatment psychological abuse can have a significant impact upon the mental health. The current study examined the influencing role of psychological abuse on mental health among 211 Keralite undergraduate youth between 18 to 24 years from data collected using Mental Health Inventory and Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse Questionnaire-2. Results revealed average mental health of youth with no significant gender difference in mental health and in the prevalence of psychological abuse except in its severity from father. Psychological abuse significantly correlated with mental health variables. A 2 way ANOVA showed significant main effect of severe maternal psychological abuse on mental health. Severity of parental psychological abuse significantly predicted poor mental health (18.7 % variability). The findings indicate the need for...

Past research has proposed depression as a risk factor for developing cancer. Because results of previous prospective epidemiological investigations are found to be conflicting and inconclusive, the current review evaluates the substantiation of cancer resulting from depression by reviewing prospective cohort studies.  Identified studies, through a sensitive search strategy with the help of keywords, from Medline and Embase were retrieved as per the developed protocol and the PRISMA 2009 recommendations. The screening for the relevance of studies and the entire process of selection was done with criteria. A validated checklist ensured methodological quality whereas accuracy was made certain by double-data extraction technique. Results suggest a possible causal link between depression and the risk of cancer. When chronic and severe depression predicted greater risk of cancer, findings are inconclusive on the link between less severe depression and cancer. With the high prevalence of ...

Mental health is clearly an integral part of health. It is part of an individual’s capacity to lead a happy and fulfilling life. As a form of child maltreatment psychological abuse can have a significant impact upon the mental health. The current study examined the influencing role of psychological abuse on mental health among 211 Keralite undergraduate youth between 18 to 24 years from data collected using Mental Health Inventory and Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse Questionnaire-2. Results revealed average mental health of youth with no significant gender difference in mental health and in the prevalence of psychological abuse except in its severity from father. Psychological abuse significantly correlated with mental health variables. A 2 way ANOVA showed significant main effect of severe maternal psychological abuse on mental health. Severity of parental psychological abuse significantly predicted poor mental health (18.7% variability). The findings indicate the need for ...