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Studies using Western samples have found that people with sexual problems attribute negative sexual experiences more to themselves whereas those without sexual problems attribute negative sexual experiences more to external factors such as the particular situation or even the partner. While attribution patterns vary across sex, age, dysfunction status, and generations, to date no studies have investigated how they might vary across cultures. We compared attribution patterns of (presumed) heterosexual/cisgender Pakistani women with varying levels of orgasmic difficulty (OD) on hypothetical scenarios presenting either positive or negative partnered sexual outcomes, with attributions to four possible targets: self, husband, situation, and relationship. Similar to previous research using Western samples, Pakistani women with greater OD were more likely than non-OD counterparts to blame themselves and their partners for negative sexual experiences. In contrast with prior research, for Pakistani women, attributions were distributed widely across all targets, including relationship factors (e.g., compatibility and communication). Specifically, Pakistani women tied their explanations for both positive and negative sexual outcomes more strongly to assessment of their relationship with their husband. The way in which women with sexual difficulties in non-Western cultures interpret their sexual experiences suggests the need for remediation strategies sensitive to socio-sexual scripts of the culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of schema therapy for young adults with features of borderline personality. It was hypothesized that features of borderline personality of participants would significantly reduce in posttest followed by schema therapy sessions. The participants of this study comprised of 9 young adult female (Age M=23.44; SD=2.12) from Karachi, Pakistan who were approached through a purposive convenient sampling technique. In a prepost experimental design the participants were selected after their screening with the help of Borderline Symptom List-95 (BSL-95; Bohus et al., 2007). Twelve individual schema therapy-based sessions (adaptation of The Schema Therapy: Clinician's Guide [Farrell, Reiss & Shaw, 2014]) were conducted. Features of borderline personality of the participants were once again assessed in posttest with the same tool. The statistical analysis of pretest and posttest scores showed a significant decrease in features of borderline personality of the participants. Therefore, the results of the study put forth schema therapy as a promising therapeutic modality for enhancing mental health of individuals with borderline personality features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, physical and emotional proximity of potentially traumatic events as predictors of vicarious trauma in adolescents were investigated. Visiting places after occurrence of bomb blasts was defined as physical proximity; while, emotional proximity was knowing a victim of a bomb blast or kidnapping. A purposive sample of 1074 adolescents aged 14-17 years was administered two measures; the Events Exposure Questionnaire developed by researcher and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (Weiss & Marmar, 1997). The second measure was used with modifications to time frame and mean scores calculated. Two hypotheses purported that physical and emotional proximity would predict PTSD in adolescents. Regression analysis was performed. Although, the models generated account for about 2-3% of variance for physical and emotional proximity, they added to extant research. Importance of peer group, media, and endemic characteristics of society were also found to play a role in the development of PTSD symptoms through indirect exposure to violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is attributed with success in life and work in general. But to know, develop and measure EQ it is needed to know the important theories and scales to measure it. The current paper evaluates four influential models i.e. Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (Bar-On EQi), Emotional Competency Inventory (ECI), Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EIQ) and Goleman Clusters. The current paper juxtapose the elements of these influential models to present how similar or disparate the construct of EQ is presented in literature by the gurus in the field. An effort is made to highlight their strengths and weaknesses after critical evaluation. Literature review revealed that generally impression among researchers is that it is difficult to measure emotional intelligence and that no truly robust measure exists as yet (Goleman, 1996 as cited in Dulewicz & Higgs, 2000a). The reason could be that developing sound measures is an arduous and lengthy process; many researchers take shortcuts or simply avoid the process altogether (Schmitt, 1991). This Research aims to identify the crucial gaps in the widely used measures, as if the measure does not holistically account for all the important dimension of EQ the results might not show the total potential of EQ in entirety. Since the aforementioned models differ in their constructs a case has been made to follow an integrative approach incorporating elements of dominant EQ models which works in multi-level to better explain the EQ construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To examine the gender based differences in depression and social support among patients of HIV, gonadal cancer and hepatitis B & C in tertiary care public hospitals and different organization at Karachi. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted on 300 patients (100 HIV, 100 gonadal cancer, 100 hepatitis B & C) , at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College, Civil hospital, Sindh Government hospital, Pakistan Society for HIV patients & Sindh AIDS control program at Karachi, from July 2009 to October 2009. Urdu translated version of Siddiqui and Shah Depression scale and Indigenous Social Support Scale were administered. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used for data collection. RESULTS: Out of 300 patients, 198 (66%) were males and 102 (34%) females with a mean age of 29.95 ±5.25 years. The difference between social support and depression among the patients of HIV, Gonadal cancer and hepatitis B & C between genders (t = -4.043, p < .05) & (t = 4.916, p < .05) was significant. There was a significant mean differences on the variable of social support (male 65.46 ± 48.22, females 88.48 ± 43.65) and depression (male 62.49 ± 24.81, females 48.48 ± 20.35). The frequency of depression among all groups was (25% mild, 18.7% moderate, & 55.7% high) whereas the frequency of social support was (25.3% mild, 49.7% moderate, & 25% high). CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference between male and female depression and social support in the patients of HIV, Gonadal Cancer and Hepatitis B & C patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral interventions with married couples experiencing marital dissatisfaction. The research design of the study was experimental. Fifty (50) married couples were randomly allocated into two equal groups: the experimental group (the couples received the treatment) and the control group (waited for behavioral interventions).Demographic information was obtained from participants in experimental and control groups. Both groups were assessed for marital adjustment by completing the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) before (pre-intervention) and after (post-intervention) the cognitive behavioral interventions. The cognitive marital techniques used in the study were adapted from Dattilio (1989). The data was analyzed by using MANOVA and t-tests for post-hoc comparisons. Findings of the study indicated that couples who received cognitive behavioral interventions showed significant reduction in marital dissatisfaction. Study findings have more important implication for the clinicians who are dealing with marital issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marital dissatisfaction is one of the major issues of our times. The purpose of the study is to assess reduction in this dysfunction by the use of cognitive behavioral interventions. When these interventions are employed to decrease dissatisfaction in marriage the focus is to bring about a change in thinking patterns, cognitive features and style of information processing along with the employment of effective strategies to resolve problems in marriage. It was hypothesized that couples who received cognitive behavioral interventions would be able to reduce the frequency of their dysfunctional thinking (Cognitive Distortions) as compared to couples who did not receive the interventions. For the study 50 married couples were randomly allocated into two equal groups: the experimental group (the couples who received the treatment) and the control group (waited for the treatment to be given). Demographic information relating to age, gender, educational qualification, number of years of marriage, number of children and the socioeconomic status, was obtained from participants in both experimental and control groups. The mean age of the males in the experimental group was 39.24, and mean age of their spouses was 35.20. Whereas the mean age of males in the control group was 41.64 and the mean age of their spouses was 36.72. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings of the study demonstrated that couples who received cognitive behavioral interventions showed marked reduction in distorted thought patterns compared to couples who did not receive the interventions. The study findings have significant implications for clinicians who are dealing with marital issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on maladaptive schema modes of young adults with borderline personality features. It included 17 female participants from Karachi who were screened for borderline personality features through Borderline Symptom List-95 (Bohus et al., 2005). Experimental group had 9 and wait-list control group had 8 participants. It was hypothesized that experimental group participants' innate child modes (vulnerable, angry, impulsive) and dysfunctional parent modes (punitive, demanding) would differ significantly from wait-list control group after receiving 12 individual schema therapy sessions. To assess their modes, Schema Mode Inventory-1st Edition (Young et al., 2014) was administered at pretest and posttest. The results showed that experimental group's maladaptive modes significantly reduced and differed from wait-list control group in post-test, except for punitive parent mode. Additional results and implications are also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE The present research examines locus of control, self esteem and perceived social support as psychosocial variables assumed to moderate psychological adjustment. DESIGN Cross sectional design. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The research was conducted during 2012 - 2013 at various schools including special schools as well as vocational centres, hospitals and rehabilitation centres in Karachi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS It includes a sample of 200 adolescents including 100 adolescents with disabilities (40 blind, 34 deaf and 26 physically disabled) and 100 adolescents without disabilities. A demographic information form and four self report measures assessing locus of control, self esteem, perceived social support and psychological adjustment were completed by all the participants. RESULTS All explanatory variables in the proposed model for the research were found to be significant using regression analysis resulting in the acceptance of the hypothesis [F3,196=43.388,p<.001]. CONCLUSION The final model suggests a strong association between the predictors and the criterion variable with unidirectional effects of self esteem towards psychological adjustment affecting both adolescents with and without disabilities. The results suggest a strong need for developing psychological interventions, based mainly on self esteem along with locus of control and the perception of support, for all adolescents in order to boost Their overall adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]