July issue, 2012

List of abstracts accepted for publication in the Psybernews, Vol.3, No.2, 2012
Please look at our old issues, new arrivals.
Please look at the writing format before submission of article. =============================================================

Title: PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN CANCER
Author: Sumona Datta
Introduction to Author: Author completed Post-graduation from the Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta in 2011 with specialization in clinical psychology.
Date of submission: 31.05.2012.

Abstract:
Considering the wide range prevalence of psychiatric disorders in every society across the span of history, several studies made an attempt to create an overreaching theory to explain such aberrant human behavior. Thus came into focus the prevalence of less severe psychiatric disturbances which may not meet all the criteria of a specific psychiatric disorder, yet have a very strong negative impact on the lives of people, leading to their greater proneness to psychiatric disorder under considerable stress. Psychiatric Morbidity refers to such psychiatric disturbances that are pathologically maladaptive and leads to disrupted functionality of the individual. Epidemiological researchers studied prevalence of psychiatric morbidity from two broad perspectives – demographic and general medical condition. A few diseased conditions, due to their chronic nature lead to prolonged suffering of the patients and hence, largely impart a negative impact on their mental health. The study under review is an attempt to explore the existing literature to ascertain the nature of psychiatric morbidity and its prevalence among Cancer patients. Results suggest differential prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among the patients of cancer. Implications and future scope of the study are discussed. =============================================================
Title: TRIGUNA PRAKRITI: CONCEPT AND APPLICATIONS
Author: Nitu Jain, Nov Rattan Sharma and Amrita Yadava
Introduction to Authors:

Nitu Jain is a Lecturer in Psychology at Saini College, Rohtak. She has contributed five research articles in various reputed journal and edited books. Her area of research is Health Psychology and Indian Philosophy.

NovRatten Sharma is a Professor of Psychology at M. D. University Rohtak. Professor Sharma is Editor of the Journal of Indian Health Psychology. He has contributed around 93 research articles in various journals and books. He has edited 7 books on different titles of pure and applied Psychology. Besides supervision of M. Phil and Doctoral dissertation, he is engaged in extensive community level programs on applications of Psychology in Health enhancement and promotion. His areas of research are Positive Health Psychology.

Amrita Yadava, presently working as Professor of Psychology, M. D. University Rohtak, is actively involved in teaching, research and extension work for more than 30 years. More than 65 research articles have been published by her in reputed journals and books. She has edited seven books on different applied areas of Psychology. Her major research interests are Cognitive, Health and Positive Psychology.
Date of submission: 4.3.2012.

Abstract:
In the present paper a Triguna perspective of personality has been explored and an attempt has also been made to understand the dynamics of Gunas that is Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The Gunas inherited by an individual are liable to change due to physical, psychological and social influences and the behavior of an individual, both overt and covert is determined by the prakriti (Personality) operating at that time. As prakriti governs the perception, cognition, motivation and values of an individual, it also influences well being. The authors feel that empirical research in this area could go a long way in developing a complete theory of personality, which could help in understanding the relation between personality and behaviour in the Indian context. =============================================================
Title: DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG HIGHER SECONDARY STUDENTS
Authors: Dhanalakshmi. D & Muhsina Lubaiba
Introduction to Author: First Author is currently working as Asst. Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University. She has 14 years of teaching experience. She has presented papers in 3 National Conferences and in 5 International Conferences. She has published 10 research papers in reputed journals and in edited books. She has been giving radio talks in AIR, Puducherry from 2009. She has been given “Best Poster Award” for the presentation at the International Conference of Psychology in Mental Health, held at NIMHANS, Bangalore, 26- 28th July, 2007.
Second author is Research fellow working under the guidance of First author in the same Department.
Date of submission: 3.6.2012.

Abstract:
Many demands and rapid changes make the high school years one of the most stressful periods of life. Students face social, emotional, physical and family problems which may affect their learning ability and academic performance. Major depression affects 1 in fifty school children. Countless others are affected by mild depression which may also affect school performance. Anxiety is yet another common problem which affects memory, concentration and attention of adolescents. The primary objective of this study was to examine the difference between Higher Secondary School- going boys and girls on depression, anxiety and mental health. Questionnaires measuring depression and anxiety and the mental health were administered to 200 students from the 12th grade. Results revealed significant mean differences between male and female students in three variables but no significant mean differences between students of commerce and science disciplines. . =============================================================
Title: IAAP CONFERENCE ABSTRACT: AN ANALYSIS
Authors: Debdulal Dutta Roy and Ipsita Moitra and
Introduction to Author:First author is Assistant Professor of the Psychology Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. Second author is Project Assistant of Prasad Psycho Corporation.
Abstract:
Analysis of conference abstract provides knowledge about (a) current trends in research (b) researcher’s motivation in selection of topic and (c) research paradigm shift and achievement of conference goals. Current study examined 14 abstracts of recently held 47th National and International conference of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 2012. All the abstracts were broadly classified into six categories and focal issues of each category were discussed. Results show that most of the submitted abstracts discussed health psychology and counselling. Besides, results show paradigm shift in researches on applied psychology. ===============================================================
Title: SPSS-TUTORIAL ON CRONBACH’S ALPHA COEFFICIENT
Authors: Debdulal Dutta Roy
Introduction to Author:Author is the Assistant Professor of the Psychology Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
Abstract:
Abstract Cronbach’s alpha coefficient is widely used pervasive statistics for estimation of reliability of the psychological instrument. It provides the knowledge about extent of discrepancy between researcher’s own insight and respondent’s mental framework. This tutorial discusses different steps for computation of alpha coefficient with SPSS software.

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Title: HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY IN THE NORTH EASTERN STATES OF INDIA
Authors: Indranee Phookan Borooah
Introduction to Author:Indranee Phookan Borooah, Ph D. Assoc. Prof. & Head, Dept. of Psychology, Gauhati University. Her research interests include social psychology, especially relating to youth, and all applied aspects of psychology.

ABSTRACT: Abstract: The article discusses genesis, development, current status and future development of psychological studies in the North-Eastern states of India. *********************************************************
Acknowledgement

1. Joseph Indelicato, Director of Undergraduate Psychology & Social Sciences, Touro College School of Health Sciences, New York.
2. Jayanti Basu, Department of Applied Psychology, Calcutta University, Kolkata.
3. Nov Rattan Sharma, Department of Psychology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
4. Prasanta Kumar Roy, Asst. Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology Institute of Psychiatry,Kolkata.
5. Malina Saha Datta, Retd. Vice Principal, MBB College, Tripura.
6. Sabyasachi Maharaj, Sri Ramakrishna Chaitanya Seva Pratisthan, Parul , Dhaniakhali, Hooghly
   

Student Editor: Sumona Dutta =============================================================================== Editor's Note: Theme: CO-MORBIDITY Co-morbidity is a serious concern in diagnosis, treatment and mental health promotion. It refers to co-existence of two or more morbid conditions or diseased state. Co-morbidity makes therapeautic procedures more complex when psychiatric morbidity is associated with physical morbidity. For example, there is high incidence of depression in arthritis. In this issue, Sumona Datta discusses psychiatric morbidity in cancer patient. By reviewing literature, she has noted presence of anxiety and depression in cancer patient. In her article, one can find different tools and techniques for assessment of psychiatric co-morbidity. Our request to Sumona is to contribute another article relating to other physical conditions like HIV, Diabetes etc. We have discussed cognitive impairment of HIV in the vol. 1, No.4, 2010. Adolescents are valued resources for economic and social development. Psychopathology among them is a serious concern. Journal of adolescent health, Journal of abnormal psychology and Psychological medicine published few articles on substance abuse, aggressive behaviour and psychopathology among High school students. In this issue, prevalence of psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression has been noted by D. Dhanalakshmi. and Muhsina Lubaiba in HS students. Authors have noted gender difference for the prevalence rather discipline wise (Science and Commerce) differences. Authors are requested to consider other discipline like Humanities or Arts for comparison in future research. Is the co-morbidity result of imbalance among Trigunas (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas) ? Future research can find the answer. Nitu jain and others observed few sub-classifications of each guna and described the behaviour of each one. Their findings are very useful in construction of questionnaire measuring indigenous psychological constructs. The reviewer commented “I hope that your work would inspire thousands of scholars to go to the core of Indian Philosophy and make their own lives enlightened.” One can examine inter correlations among different traits in order to find out any latent relations. Analysis of conference abstract is important to explore current and future trends of research. In this issue, abstracts of the recently held 47th National and International conference of the IAAP were analyzed. In the last issue, through abstract analysis, some of the thrust areas of research in the North-Eastern States of India were explored. And it was appreciated by the Organizers of the conference. The journal regularly introduces different departments of Psychology . Indranee Phookan Borooah, one of the members of the Editorial Board introduces few departments in the North-Eastern States of India in this issue. In order to disseminate knowledge about important statistical tools and their computation through SPSS, the journal regularly publishes tutorial article. In this issue, you will find ‘Cronbach’s alpha coefficient’, most widely used technique to estimate reliability coefficient of psychological test. Recently, we lost Dr. Saugata Basu. We paid our tribute to him through discussion of his research works. Readers are requested to regularly visit our blog –psybernews.blogspot.in and join our yahoo group for more interaction. The journal follows peer-review technique for acceptance of article. We follow APA format in writing the article. Authors are requested to follow it. Journal thrusts upon methods and technique therefore authors are requested to write the method section in details. Please do not modify whole article rather only specific portion following the reviewer’s suggestion. I am indebted to all the esteemed members of the Editorial Board for their voluntary support in reviewing the article. Before signing off, I am requesting all the readers to mail me their own comment about published article to my e-mail (psynewsduttaroy@hotmail.com) so that we can satisfy your research pursuit.