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Background: Adolescence is a crucial life stage for the individual identity formation. The growing employment of social media and screen-exposure among teenagers and the concerning rise in suicide ideation rates in this susceptible group both suggested this study. Thus, we explored the association between adolescents' suicidal ideation and their daily social media screen-exposure. Methods: We surveyed 502 students, aged 13 to 19 years old, recruited in colleges and universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The survey was based on a 28-item self-reported questionnaire and demographic data collection. Results: Approximately 40% of adolescents reporting suicidal ideation showed an extended social media screen-exposure, as well as significant depressive feelings and problematic personality traits. In particular, suicidal ideation increased by 0.39 for each one-unit increase in screen-exposure time and levels of depression increased by 0.21 times by unit of screen-exposure. The correlation coefficients further indicated a moderate positive association between depression and suicidal thoughts as well as personality traits played as mediators between social media screen-exposure time and suicidal ideation among adolescents. Conclusion: Our study found a positive association, even if modest, between the use of social media screens and suicidal ideation among adolescents. This evidence may suggest to adopt specific strategies to address the use of media among youths and prevent mental disorders related to the prolonged and inappropriate use of digital technologies in those users with a vulnerable personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionSuicide is a significant but understudied public health concern in developing nations like Pakistan, where risks factors have not been investigated by mixed methods studies. Hence, we aimed to explore the risk factors for suicide based on a mixed methodology.This study followed a mixed methods convergent component design. A retrospective case-control psychological autopsy with a semistructured interview protocol was performed. Additionally, health professionals’ opinions on the psychiatric risk factors for suicide were assessed through qualitative interviews. Data were collected between 2021 and 2022 and analyzed by SPSS (V-25) and thematic analysis (NVIVO-12 Plus).Based on the mixed methods meta-inferences, suicidal ideation; depression; hopelessness; social isolation; previous history of self-harm and traumatic experiences; lack of motivation; purposelessness; feeling like a burden; substance abuse; impulsivity; anger; anxiety; psychiatric disorders such as personality disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, gaming addiction, and eating disorders; and family history of psychiatric illness were identified as risk factors for suicide.More must be learned about the mental health components contributing to suicide and the culturally appropriate prevention methods used in Pakistan. This study reveals novel targets for suicide prevention and may aid policymaking by providing a better understanding of predictors and specific psychiatric characteristics of suicide in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence supporting the notion that spirituality and religion can improve one’s physical and mental health. Studies show that religion and spirituality play a significant role in the suicidal path. Considering the dearth of data on the patterns of suicidal thoughts, acts and related factors in Pakistan, a country with a large Muslim population and stigma with sociocultural perceptions of religious notions, the current study investigated the role of religious and spiritual factors of suicide using psychological autopsies. Method: Purposive sampling was used to gather retrospective data records from police stations and hospital forensic departments in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, between January 2021 and July 2022. In total, 60 samples (30 cases and 30 controls) were used in this autopsies investigation. As with the majority of case control studies, the study sample cases were matched with the controls. At least two close bereaved family members served as the primary information sources, and data was gathered using the Semi Structured Interview Protocol for Psychological Autopsies. Results: According to statistical analysis, both the suicide cases and the controls were comprised mostly of Muslim individuals. They follow Islam and hold the view that suicide is prohibited, forbidden, and haram in Islam. Regarding spirituality and religion, the majority of cases, according to the respondents interviewed, were not spiritual at all, while the controls are slightly spiritual. While the majority of both cases and controls had reduced interest in or practice of religious activities over the past year, a higher number of cases rarely performed and attended the religious services/activities as compared to controls. Discussion: It was thus evident that the cases lacked significant engagement in spiritual and religious activities, and their attendance at such gatherings had notably decreased in the year preceding the suicide attempt. This decline in involvement in spiritual and religious practices might be linked to decreased levels of satisfaction, sense of belongingness, which could raise the risk of suicide. Therefore, in nations where Muslims predominate, culturally relevant suicide prevention initiatives including spiritual and religious treatments aimed at reducing the risk of suicide should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSuicide is a public health concern and represents one of the increasing causes of mortality worldwide. In Pakistan, the severity of suicide is worsened by the lack of a national prevention program and adequate mental health facilities. This study, through 16 in-depth interviews with clinicians, aimed to identify prevention strategies. Two main categories emerged: community-level strategies (eg raising awareness, psychoeducation, restricting access to lethal means) and clinician-level strategies (eg training programs, safety plans, fundraising, tele-counseling). Effective prevention requires comprehensive policies to overcome existing barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis article discusses the critical issues of mental health in Pakistan, highlighting the significant burden of mental disorders in the country, and limitations of mental health services which are under-addressed. In particular, the authors discuss the under-reporting of the epidemiological rates of mental disorders and the scarcity of mental health professionals and facilities, with only about 500 psychiatrists serving a population of over 244 million. Cultural stigma, economic challenges, and insufficient government funding exacerbate this critical scenario, all limiting access of population to mental health services. Despite some government initiatives and the involvement of Non-governmental Organizations, the mental health infrastructure remains inadequate to meet the demand for care. The authors recommend increasing governmental funding, expanding the mental health literacy in the general population, training healthcare providers, and integrating traditional healers into the formal mental health system to reduce stigma and improve access to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attitudes towards individuals who attempt suicide are crucial in determining whether patients seek help and receive appropriate care. With an increasing number of patients with suicidal behavior being treated by doctors in general hospitals, this study aimed to compare the attitudes of physicians, surgeons, and psychiatrists towards these patients. Additionally, the study examined differences in attitude towards attempters across doctor's working more or equal to ten hours' a day. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with a sample of 150 doctors (50 from each specialty) from Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Fauji Foundation Hospital, CMH, Watim Medical Hospital, CDA Hospital, Pakistan Ordinance Factories Hospital, and Shifa International Hospital. Data were collected using a demographic sheet and the Understanding Suicidal Patients Scale to measure attitudes towards those who attempt suicide. Analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 25). Participants were aged 25-35 (56.6%), 36-45 (39.3%), and 46-55 (4.1%). The sample included a slightly higher proportion of females (50.7%) than males (49.3%), with 92.6% identifying as Muslim and 7.4% as Christian. A majority (60.7%) belonged to the middle socio-economic status, 44.8% were married, and 62.0% lived in nuclear families. Additionally, 57.4% of participants worked more than 10 hours per day. The results indicated that psychiatrists exhibited a significantly more positive attitude towards suicide attempters compared to physicians and surgeons (p<.001). Furthermore, doctor's working more than 10 hours a day demonstrated more negative attitudes towards these patients than those who worked 10 hours (p<.03). These findings suggest that to provide better treatment to patients in need, suicide prevention programs must be combined with medical training and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Estimates of depression in suicidal behavior in South Asia would help to formulate suicide prevention strategies in the region that hasn't been assessed yet. Objectives: We aimed to systematically assess the prevalence of depression in fatal and non-fatal attempts of suicide in eight South Asian countries. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO by specific search terms to identify articles assessing depression in fatal and non-fatal attempts of suicide in South Asian countries published between 2001 and 2020. Two separate meta-analyses were conducted for fatal and non-fatal attempts. Due to the high heterogeneity of studies (96–98%), random-effects models were used to calculate pooled prevalence rates. Results: A total of 38 studies was identified from five south Asian countries (India [27], Pakistan [6], Sri Lanka [3], Nepal [1], and Bangladesh [1]). The majority of studies (n = 27) were published after 2010. Twenty-two studies reported non-fatal attempts, and sixteen reported suicide. The prevalence of depression among non-fatal attempts ranged from 14% to 78% where the pooled prevalence rate was 32.7% [95% CI 26–39.3%]. The prevalence of depression among suicides ranged from 8% to 79% where the pooled prevalence estimate was 37.3% [95% CI 26.9–47.6%]. Conclusions: This review revealed the pooled prevalence of depression among fatal and non-fatal suicidal attempts in South Asian countries, which seems to be lower when comparedto the Western countries. However, a cautious interpretation is warranted due to the heterogeneity of study methods, sample size, and measurement of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicide is a global preventable public health problem. About a quarter of all suicides in the world occur in South Asia. As means restriction is an important suicide prevention strategy, gaining knowledge of the common suicide methods and their changing trends in each country and region is crucial. Aims: We aimed to assess the suicide methods in South Asian countries over the last two decades. Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the search terms. Original articles of quantitative studies, published in the English language, from 2001 to 2020, with full-accessible text, that rank different methods of suicide in eight South Asian countries, were included. Results: A total of 68 studies were found eligible for review. The Maximum number of studies were found from India (n = 38), followed by Bangladesh (n = 12), Pakistan (n = 9), Sri Lanka (n = 6), and Nepal (n = 3). Hanging (n = 40, 55.8%) and poisoning (n = 24, 35.3%) were the two most common suicide methods reported, in that order. Hanging followed by poisoning were the commonest suicide methods in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan while in Sri Lanka, poisoning was the preferred method to hanging. There is a decline in suicide by poisoning and an increase in suicide by hanging in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. Although hanging is still the commonest method in Pakistan, the use of firearms is growing in recent years (2011–2020). Conclusions: There is a steady decline in the incidence of suicides by poisoning following pesticide regulations in South Asian countries. However, there is heterogeneity of study methods, probable under-reporting of suicide, and lack of robust suicide data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess whether 12 sessions of indigenously adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy for excessive smartphone use (IACBT-ESU) would reduce excessive smartphone use. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in students (12 to 19 years of age) to examine the potential beneficial effects of IACBT-ESU (n = 62) compared with brief educational data alone (n = 62). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and peer relations were also compared between the two groups. The IACBT-ESU group demonstrated significant reductions in excessive smartphone use, with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, hyperactivity, and emotional difficulties at both trial end and at 3-month follow-up (p < .01) compared with control participants. IACBT-ESU was associated with reduced excessive smartphone use and improved psychological well-being, with beneficial findings maintained 3 months after the trial's end. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of manager's wisdom in decision making styles. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive cross sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION: At International Islamic University, Islamabad from 2nd February 2017 to 28th September 2017. METHOD: A Self reported instruments such as Three Dimensional Wisdom Scale and general decision making style inventory to evaluate wisdom and decision making styles was distributed among the study participants based on convenient sampling technique. RESULTS: There were hundred managers with 28-60 years of age range (44±9.66). There was a significant correlation in wisdom and decision making styles (p<.001). For regression analysis, linear regression showed significant wisdom role in decision making styles among managers (p<.001). CONCLUSION: The quality of being wise in managers can allow them to take valuable decisions from various decision making styles based on limited and adequate resources. The findings revealed that wisdom experienced by managers positively affected rational, intuitive and spontaneous decision making styles and negatively affected dependent and avoidant decision making style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pakistani television dramas often depict scenes involving suicide that may affect the psychological wellbeing of viewers. We aimed to examine the effects of suicide depiction in Pakistani television dramas on their viewers. Methods: In April 2023, we searched the YouTube website for Urdu-language television dramas released between 2011 and 2022 that contained scenes of suicidal behaviours (both attempts and completed suicides) using the keywords 'suicide in Pakistani dramas'. Data extracted included details of the characters involved including age group, sex, role, occupation, religion, and marital status, as well as details of the suicidal behaviours including method, reason/trigger, and place of suicide. Results: In total, 49 incidents of suicidal behaviours from 46 characters in 40 Urdu-language television dramas were included in the analysis. Of the 40 dramas, 42.5% were released in 2021 and 2022, and 57.5% were released between 2011 and 2020. Among the 46 characters with suicidal behaviour, 50.0% were male, 54.3% were young adults, 52.2% were married, 26.1% were housewives, 100% were Muslim, and 34.8% were in a leading role. Of the 49 incidents of suicidal behaviour, 29 were suicide, 19 were suicide attempts, and one was homicide-suicide. Common methods of suicidal behaviour depicted were gun shooting (30.6%), wrist cutting (18.3%), self-poisoning (12.2%), and jumping from height (12.2%). Common reasons for suicidal behaviour were failure in love (24.4%), familial issues (24.4%), and others (26.5%); 69.4% of suicidal behaviour occurred in home. Conclusion: Television dramas with scenes involving suicidal behaviours may negatively affect the general population, particularly adolescents. These scenes should be censored to prevent imitation or identification among vulnerable young people. Television dramas should provide psychoeducational messages to promote help-seeking rather than suicide for emotional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore inherent associations between psychological distress and resilience, and its effect on quality of life among medical and non-medical students., Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to January 2020 after approval from the Department of Psychology Ethics Committee of the International Islamic University, Islamabad, and comprised medical and non-medical students of either gender enrolled with different institutions of higher learning in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Data were obtained using Brief Resilience Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Quality of Life Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS., Results: Of the 300 subjects, 150(50%) each were medical and non medical students. Within both groups, 75(50%) each were males and females. Psychological resilience was a positive predictor of quality of life ( =0.30) whereas psychological distress served as a negative predictor of quality of life ( =-0.54). Medical students were significantly higher on psychological distress (p=0.001), whereas non-medical students were higher on quality of life (p=0.001) and resilience (p=0.001). Female students were higher on quality of life and male students were higher on psychological distress (p=0.002)., Conclusions: Resilience needs to be promoted among students, particularly medical students, as it may help in reduction and adequate management of academic distress levels.

Objective: To develop a valid and reliable scale to asses perceived sexual resentment among married women., Methods: The cross-sectional validation study was conducted from September 2018 to July 2019 at the International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and had three phases. Phase I comprised initial generation/selection of items regarding sexual resentment among married women. Phase II comprised pilot testing of the perceived sexual resentment scale for women items before applying the scale on the actual sample. Phase III determined convergent validity by estimating correlation of the newly developed scale with the Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationship Scale, and its divergent validity by finding correlation with the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 23., Results: The pilot study, done on 20 married women, established the internal consistency of the newly developed scale (α=0.82). Overall, three factors emerged following factor analysis. The scale had 29 items and reliability analysis of the entire scale indicated adequate internal consistency (α=0.93). The convergent validity of the scale and the Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationship Scale was positive (p<0.001), and the correlation with the Satisfaction with Life Scale was negative (p<0.01), indicating that the newly-developed instrument had a good convergent and divergent validity., Conclusions: The Perceived Sexual Resentment Scale for Women was found to be a precise and concise 29-item self-reporting tool developed to assess sexual dislikes and displeasures among married women.

Self-esteem among eunuchs is highly influenced by a variety of factors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the differences in self-esteem of eunuchs on the basis of education, income, age and marital status. The study was conducted at the University of Haripur, Pakistan, from December 2015 to November 2016. A sample of 140 eunuchs was collected from different areas of Hazara division, through purposive and snowball sampling technique. A self-esteem scale with four sub-scales was used to measure the self-esteem of eunuchs. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine education level differences. The t-test was applied to find out the impact of demographics differences such as marital status, income level, and age on self-esteem of eunuchs. The scale used was found to be quite reliable with alpha coefficient of 0.85. The outcomes are significant and showed that educated, higher income, younger and unmarried eunuchs had higher self-esteem (p<0.05).