PJPPRP

Empathy, Dominance, and Everyday Sadism: Insights from Educated Males in Pakistan

Mahnoor Khan — 2025-01-27

With an emphasis on the issue of everyday sadism, the current study sought to investigate the link among educated males between empathy, order dominance, and sadism. This study combined a handy, non-probability sampling method with a correlation research approach. The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), Order Dominance Scale (ODS), and Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST-12) were completed by 100 educated males between the ages of 18 and 25.Findings revealed through Pearson’s Correlation was that, a positive correlation between everyday sadism and empathy (r = 0.45, p < 0.01), indicating that individuals exhibiting sadistic traits can also possess empathetic qualities. Conversely, a negative correlation was found between everyday sadism and dominance (r = -0.30, p < 0.01), suggesting that those engaging in everyday sadism do not necessarily exhibit dominant behaviors. The results imply that everyday sadism may represent a distinct personality trait separate from other forms of aggression and antisocial behavior, as evidenced by the observed correlations. This study contributes significantly to the understanding of everyday sadism, highlighting its prevalence among educated males and its potential impact on social interactions. The findings can inform researchers and practitioners in developing effective interventions for individuals exhibiting these behaviors, thereby enhancing awareness of everyday sadism beyond its traditional sexual connotations. Overall, this research underscores the importance of recognizing everyday sadism as a relevant factor in psychological studies related to personality traits and social behavior.

Lived Experiences of Women Living with Husband’s Infidelity: A Pilot Study

Asma Anwar — 2024-12-27

In Pakistan, some women continue their marriages after experiencing their husbands’ infidelity despite the increasing divorce rate and women’s empowerment. This qualitative study focused on how these women manage their marital relationships knowing the infidelity of their husbands. Five women were selected using the purposive sampling technique and were interviewed. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), three superordinate themes emerged; personal strength, surpassing the betrayal, and relational strategies. The findings indicated the posttraumatic growth in women enabled them to survive and make their marriages work by making necessary changes. The findings would be helpful to family therapists in comprehending and dealing with women experiencing this issue.

Socio-Cultural Factors of Overeating Among Adolescents

Sania Khayal — 2024-12-27

The primary aim of this study was to develop a scale that effectively identifies the social and cultural factors contributing to overeating among adolescents. The research was conducted in two phases. Initially, 28 items were developed through focus groups, interviews, and a review of existing literature. Following expert evaluation using the Content Validity Index (CVI), 23 items were retained. These items were tested for factorial validity on 300 university students aged 10-19 (M = 17.98, SD = 2.17). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) further refined the scale, resulting in a 13-item final version. The psychometric properties of the Socio-Cultural Factors of Overeating Scale were developed in the second phase. Convergent validity was established by correlating the scale with the Eating in the Absence of Hunger Scale (Pasquale et al., 2023), showing a significant correlation (r = .44**, p < .01). Discriminant validity was confirmed by comparing the scale with the Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale (Meule et al., 2018), revealing a significant inverse relationship (r = -.54**, p < .01). The study’s findings have substantial implications, offering a robust and reliable measure for evaluating socio-cultural factors related to overeating. This tool not only benefits researchers by providing a valuable instrument for exploring these factors but also will aid clinicians in delivering personalized and effective treatment. The scale enhances diagnostic accuracy and supports the development of targeted intervention strategies, making it a valuable resource in various clinical settings.

Money Matters: How Economic Demographics Shape Wellbeing of Young Adults in a Collectivistic Culture

Zehra Keshf — 2024-12-27

Wellbeing is influenced by economic demographics, particularly in the collectivistic culture of Pakistan, where collective goals are preferred over individual goals. Wellbeing of young adults needs to be explored specifically with respect to financial variables and unfavorable economic conditions. In this survey 1563 young adults were selected using proportionate stratified sampling from five cities of Punjab. MANOVA and t tests showed that wellbeing of young adults is linked to other earning members in the family, average household income, father’s occupation and personal work status. Their wellbeing was not linked to their mother’s occupation, online or offline work mode, or personal income. In addition to some limitations, this research also has some significant suggestions and implications for future research and policy making. Finances and wellbeing are strongly influenced by the collectivistic orientation of youth. Their financial prowess needs to be developed using this collectivistic background. The key takeaway is that wellbeing of youth in collectivistic cultures is not a solo endeavor; it is deeply connected to and affected by financial factors of the whole family.

Development of Metacognitive Scale for Adolescents

Hira Nadeem — 2024-12-27

The major aim of this study was to develop a metacognition scale in Urdu for school-aged students within the context of Pakistani culture, and its psychometric characteristics were also determined (age ranging from 11 to 17 years). The metacognitive model and literature review served as the foundation for the item pool generation. Items were pilot tested on 90 school students by using convenient sampling technique. The sample was selected from various public and private schools in Gujrat, and Lalamusa. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted in order to identify the underlying factors. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed 7 factor structure with 32 items. Confirmatory factor analysis was used for confirming the factors retained through EFA. The model indicated a good fit model with (CMIN/DF =183.16/104, CFI = .953, PGFI = .649, RMSEA = .041 and GFI = .955). The newly developed scale reliable assessment of metacognition among students and this scale showed Cronbach alpha of .975.

Self-Consciousness, Couple’s Satisfaction, Maternal-Fetal Attachment and Psychological Distress in Women during Pregnancy

Shawal Shaud — 2024-06-27

Identification of psychological distress, especially in first time pregnant women, is fundamental due to its negative impact on physical and mental health of the mother and the child to be born. The purpose of the present study was to find out the relationship between self-consciousness, couple’s satisfaction, maternal-fetal attachment and psychological distress among first-time pregnant women. The sample (N=100) included first time pregnant women with an age range of 18-37 years (M= 26.23; SD= 3.36) from different hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Participants were administered Self Consciousness Scale; The Couple’s Satisfaction Index; Cranley’s Maternal- Fetal Attachment Scale; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Demographic Form. The Correlation research design was used. The results of regression analyses revealed that private self-consciousness and social anxiety were positive predictors of psychological distress whereas, public self-consciousness and couple satisfaction emerged to be negative predictors of psychological distress. The current findings have clear implications for mental health practitioners, researchers, and social workers wishing to identify and develop social and clinical therapeutic interventions which enhance positive well-being and decrease psychological distress in pregnant women.

Perceived Parental Criticism Exacerbate Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder Ameliorated by Self-Control in Young Adults

Asma Anwar — 2024-06-27

This study investigated the relationship between perceived parental criticism (PPC) and symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) attenuated by self-control (SC) in young adults. A convenient sample of 139 women and 111 men (N = 250), university students, with an age range of 19 to 30 years (M = 21.34, SD = 1.81) were asked to complete Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale (FEICS, Shields et al., 1992), Brief Self-control Scale (Brief SCS, Tangney et al., 2004), and Borderline Personality Inventory Cut-20 (BPI Cut-20, Leichsenring, 1999). Mediation analyses revealed that PPC did not predict symptoms of BPD directly, however, PPC indirectly did squelch BPD symptoms through SC; PPC negatively and significantly predicted SC, and SC also negatively and significantly predicted BPD symptoms. We will discuss these relationships in clinical contexts where therapy could alter SC in people to reduce their BPD symptoms and perceived parental criticisms.

Perceived Parenting Styles and Body Dissatisfaction among Women

Ayesha Shahid Sheikh — 2024-06-27

This research paper explores the relationship between perceived parenting styles and body dissatisfaction. It is based on a study conducted on adult women (N=308) to explore the relationship between both the variables. Stratified sampling was used to collect data and women belonging to different occupations were included in the study. The Body Dissatisfaction Scale (BDSS), (Tariq & Ijaz, 2010) and Perceived Parenting Styles (PPSS), (Anwar & Ijaz, 2010) were used in the study. The results of the study indicate that controlling parenting style of both mother and father lead to higher body dissatisfaction among women as compared to nurturing parenting style. A significant relationship among higher education and higher body dissatisfaction was also found as the results revealed that women with less education were less dissatisfied with their bodies. There was a significant difference among the body dissatisfaction of both working and non-working women.

Family Functioning, Cognitive Autonomy and Psychological Adjustment In Adolescents

Aqsa Noor — 2024-06-27

The present study aimed to ascertain the relationship among family functioning, cognitive autonomy and psychological adjustment in adolescents. Correlational research design was used in the study. It was hypothesized that there would likely to be a relationship among family functioning, cognitive autonomy and psychological adjustment and that family functioning and cognitive autonomy would predict psychological adjustment in adolescents. It was also hypothesized that cognitive autonomy would likely to moderate relationship between family functioning and psychological adjustment in adolescents. The study sample consisted of 296 participants with an age range of 14-18 years, mean age of 17.29 including 159 males and 137 females, recruited by using convenient sampling strategy. Online data collection was carried out via Google forms by reaching out to the teachers of public and private institutions. The General Functioning subscale of Family Assessment Device, the Cognitive Autonomy and Self-evaluation inventory, and the Personality Assessment Questionnaire were used to determine family functioning, cognitive autonomy, and psychological adjustment, respectively, in adolescents. Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Hierarchical Regression, and Hayes Process Model were used to analyze the data. Results revealed a significant positive relationship among family functioning, cognitive autonomy and psychological adjustment. Further findings revealed that family functioning was a significant predictor of psychological adjustment in adolescents, however, cognitive autonomy was not found as a moderator in the current study. The findings will provide insight about the parents related to adjustment issues of adolescents and mental health professionals to carry out programs related to effective parenting and healthy family functioning.

The Relationship between Attachment Styles and Psychological Distress in Adult Children with Alcoholic Fathers

Ivan Suneel — 2024-06-27

Research suggests that a causal relation exists between alcoholism in fathers and the resulting personality and behavior of the child. Correlational research design was used to explore two variables and purposive sampling was considered the best sampling strategy for a sample of 202 males and 198 females. For the participants, age (18-25) and education (tenth grade as minimum level of education) were the two variables that were controlled. Any child of alcoholic father above or below the age bracket given and possessing lower than 10th grade of education was not selected. Demographic sheet, General health Questionnaire and Adult Attachment Questionnaire were filled out by the participants. A one-way Analysis of Variance revealed significant differences between all three groups. Those with secure attachment styles reported the least psychological distress, followed by the avoidant attachment style group. Those falling into the anxious/ambivalent attachment style reported the highest levels of psychological distress. The results were discussed in the light of the literature review. The alcoholic consumption of the parents and their abusive behavior towards the children can manifest as fear of intimacy, unstable relationships, and lack of confidence and self-worth for the victims. It is further proposed that these problems can carry through generations if left unchecked, creating a plethora of damaged individuals.