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Background: Vitiligo is a common depigmenting dermatosis characterized by milky-white macules or patches. Any pathological discoloration of the skin has been linked to an impact on the body image of an individual, and vitiligo has been linked to decreased self-esteem and poor socialization of the affected people. In Indian society, vitiligo is labeled as Shweta-Kushta (i.e., white-colored leprosy) and is compared to leprosy-a more stigmatizing skin condition. Aim: This study aims to study gender-related differences in the quality of life of Indian vitiligo patients. Methodology: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, a total of 55 vitiligo patients (females 25 and males 30) were enrolled using the purposive sampling technique. The sample was assessed on Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) to assess their quality of life, self-esteem, and psychological well-being, respectively. The gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical details as well as their relationship with the quality of life of the patients were sought with the help of appropriate statistical measures. Results: The patients of both genders were comparable in terms of all sociodemographic and clinical variables except the females being less educated and employed than the males. There was a statistically significant trend of higher mean DLQI total score in females than males (6.6 ± 3.55 vs 4.8 ± 2.71, Mann-Whitney U = 263.5, P =0.058). Significantly, the average DLQI score in female vitiligo patients was negatively related to family income (r s = -.659, P <.001) and it was significantly higher for the patients from a rural background than those from an urban background (8.55 ± 3.30 vs 5.07 ± 3.03, Mann-Whitney U = 33.5, P <.05). The average DLQI score was negatively correlated to RSS score but positively correlated to GHQ-12 score in patients of both genders. Conclusion: The quality of life of female patients with vitiligo is poorer than the same in male patients. The poor financial condition of families and rural living are two factors related to the poorer quality of life of female patients. A poorer quality of life in vitiligo patients of both genders is linked with decreased self-esteem and decreased psychological well-being. Gender-related issues in the quality of life and the overall well-being of such patients are important in their management and policy-making.
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Background: Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia have a considerable burden of care and develop different coping strategies to deal with the caregiving burden. Aim: The aim of this article is to assess gender differences in the burden of care and coping strategies used among caregivers of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 57 caregivers (33 males and 24 females) of the patients with schizophrenia attending a psychiatric outpatient setting were included by purposive sampling. The caregivers were assessed with the Burden Assessment Schedule 20 items (BAS-20) and Brief Approach/Avoidance Coping Questionnaire (BACQ) to assess the burden of care and coping strategies, respectively. Results: Average BAS-20 score was comparable between the male and female caregivers. If the patient was a spouse, the male caregivers had a significantly higher burden of the marital relationship than the female caregivers. On the BACQ, the socio-emotional approach subscale was significantly higher in female caregivers. The avoidance-oriented coping score and socio-emotional avoidance subscale were significantly higher in male caregivers. A significant positive correlation was found between BAS-20 score and avoidance-oriented coping scores in all caregivers except the females where a significant negative correlation was found between BAS score and socio-emotional avoidance type of coping. Conclusion: There are no gender differences in the burden of care in caregivers of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia except the male caregivers have a higher burden in the domain of marital relationship. The socio-emotional approach type of coping is higher in females while the socio-emotional avoidance type of coping is lower in male caregivers.
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Background: Recent reports indicate that self-isolation because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related lockdowns had significant influence on mental health of medical students. Aim: To understand the relationship between two different motivations for solitude - self-determined versus non-self-determined with medical students' COVID-19-related anxiety and psychological resilience during their self-isolation because of COVID-19-related lockdowns. Materials and Methods: After the approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee, this online survey was done on undergraduate Indian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expressing consent at the beginning of the online form, enabled the students to proceed to the next section comprising their sociodemographic details and clinical details. The last section of the form comprised the Motivation for Solitude Scale-Short Form, the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-Abbreviated. Results: 282 out of 286 students of either sex gave their consent and completed the given form. Both self-determined and non-self-determined motivations for solitude were higher in female medical students. The self-determined motivation for solitude was directly related to all students' resilience. A past history of psychiatric illness was directly associated with the non-self-determined motivation for solitude of the students. The non-self-directed motivation for solitude of female students was indirectly related to their resilience. The COVID-19-related anxiety was not related to either type of motivation for solitude as well as the resilience of the medical students. Conclusion: Indian female medical students are more motivated for solitude, be it self-determined or non-self-determined, than their male counterparts. The student's resilience has a direct relationship with students' self-determined motivation. The COVID-19-related anxiety among the medical students is not related to their motivations for solitude or resilience.
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Background: The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) was developed in April 2020 as an instrument to gauge the symptoms of stress and anxiety occurring secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was constructed using the English language due to which its application to a multi-linguistic country like India became a hindrance. Aim: To establish psychometric validity and reliability of the Bengali translation of CAS. Materials and Methods: Experts well-versed in the English and Bengali languages translated CAS from English to Bengali. This was followed by further correction by forward and backward translation processes until a version with high accuracy and low redundancy was procured. The original scale was applied to 91 volunteers, and the translated version was applied to the same group after 14 days. Results: The mean scores of the original version and the translated version showed a significant correlation. The Bengali version of CAS had high internal consistency, significant concurrent validity, and acceptable split-half reliability. It was hence deemed easily understandable and capable of measuring anxiety due to COVID-19 similar to the original scale. Conclusion: The Bengali translation of the CAS can be accurately used to assess symptoms of anxiety and stress with high reliability and validity in those who are able to read the Bengali language.
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AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the neuropsychological profiles of chronic schizophrenia and alcohol-dependent subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 30 chronic schizophrenia patients, 30 alcohol-dependent patients and 30-matched normal controls. Demographic and clinical data were collected on a self-designed pro forma. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ-C) were administered to chronic schizophrenia and alcohol-dependent patients, respectively. The AIIMS Comprehensive Neuropsychological Battery in Hindi (Adult Form) was used to assess neuropsychological dysfunctions. RESULTS: Neuropsychological dysfunctions were found in 83.3% of chronic schizophrenia patients, 36.7% alcohol dependents and none of the normal subjects. In comparison to normal subjects, schizophrenia patients had significantly more dysfunctions in neuropsychological-domains such as motor, tactile, visual, receptive and expressive speech, reading, writing, arithmetic, memory, and intellectual processes. A significant positive correlation was found between the PANSS total score and T scores of most of the clinical scales except motor and visual scales; the PANSS general psychopathology score and T scores of most of the clinical scales except motor visual and pathognomonic scales; the PANSS negative score and T scores of most of the clinical scales except visual scale; and the PANSS positive score and T scores of receptive speech, arithmetic, and memory scales. In comparison to normal subjects, the alcohol dependents had significantly more dysfunctions in neuropsychological-domains such as motor, tactile, visual, receptive and expressive speech, reading, writing, arithmetic, and memory. A significant positive correlation was found between the SADQ total scale and T scores of clinical scales such as expressive speech, writing, arithmetic, intellectual processes, left hemisphere, and total battery scales. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological dysfunction was significantly more common and severe in chronic schizophrenia patients than in alcohol-dependent patients. In comparison to alcohol dependents, the chronic schizophrenia patients had more dysfunctions in neuropsychological-domains such as tactile, arithmetic, memory, and intellectual processes.
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BACKGROUND: Young adults are at increased risk for suicidal behavior and there is growing concern about racial differences in suicidal ideation, especially in the younger population. AIM: The aim of this study is to assess suicidal ideation in school going tribal and nontribal adolescents and to study its relationships with psychological well-being, depression, and anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 259 students of Classes X, XI, and XII of three Schools of Ranchi, who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria, were screened for suicidal ideation by Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) and psychological well-being by General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). The level of anxiety and depression was assessed by Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Overall 33.2% of the adolescents had suicidal ideation out of which 34.2% were tribal-students and 32.8% nontribal-students with no significant intergroup difference. Psychological discomfort (GHQ-12 Score ≥3) was noticed in 59.1% of adolescents, but no racial difference was found. However, the mean HADS depression score was significantly higher in tribal adolescents, more so in tribal boys than nontribal adolescents or boys, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation of SIQ total score in all the adolescents with GHQ-12 total score, HADS total score, HADS anxiety score, and HADS depression score. CONCLUSION: There were no racial differences in suicidal ideation and psychological discomfort among tribal and nontribal adolescents. Tribal adolescents, and more specifically tribal boys, had more depression than their nontribal counterparts. Suicidal ideation was positively correlated with psychological discomfort, anxiety, and depression.