Factors Associated with Occupational Stress Among University Teachers in Pakistan and Finland

The study examines the interplay of psychosocial factors and works conditions on occupational stress among 531 university teachers in Pakistan and Finland with the help of a web-based questionnaire. Results from an MANOVA revealed that good working conditions, social support at work, and promotion and development opportunities were rated as significantly better by the Finnish sample. Workplace bullying occurred considerably less often in Finland than in Pakistan. Male Pakistani teachers reported significantly higher levels of workplace bullying than any other group. Although the working conditions, social support, and promotion and development opportunities were better, and less bullying appeared in Finland than in Pakistan, but the difference in stress symptoms between the two countries was not significant

Risk factors for youth violence: Youth violence commission, International Society For Research On Aggression (ISRA)

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144599/1/ab21766.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144599/2/ab21766_am.pd

Syrian Immigrants in Germany: an Exploration Into Intercultural Competence, Self-awareness and Well-being of the Minority Group

The intercultural competence of Syrians who reside in Germany was assessed in order to shed light on patterns and behaviours that are practiced by them in a different culture. In total, 308 respondents completed the questionnaire, of which 54 (17.5%) were female and 254 (82.5%) were male. The mean age of the respondents was 30.5 years (SD = 7.5.). The respondents' level of private self-awareness, particularly self-reflection and insight, and their level of well-being (depression, anxiety and aggression) were assessed. Intercultural competence was measured using APTOC, a 15-item scale that consists of 3 main subscales, namely Openness to Other Cultures, Global Mindset, and Narrow Mindset. Private self-awareness was measured with the Self-reflection and Insight Scale. Well-being was measured with three subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory, namely Depression, Anxiety and Hostility. Openness to other Cultures, Global Mindset and Narrow Mindset were found to have a significant impact on Self-reflection and the well-being determinants (except Anxiety). There was a significant negative correlation between Narrow Mindset and Insight. Conclusively, Intercultural competence was found to have a positive impact on Private Self-awareness (Self-reflection and Insight) and Well-being of Syrians who reside in Germany

Social Integration and Psychological Wellbeing in a Sample of the Swedish-speaking Minority of Western Finland

The role of social integration in determining subjective psychological wellbeing in a sample of Swedish-speaking Finns in Ostrobothnia was investigated. A questionnaire was completed by 298 respondents (208 females, 90 males). The mean age was 32.7 years (SD 13.4) for females and 28.9 years (SD 13.4) for males. The age span was between 16 and 90 years. The questionnaire consisted of four scales measuring social integration. Females scored significantly higher on access to social benefits, positive social relations, and trust in the Finnish judiciary system. No sex difference was found for satisfaction with the neighbourhood. The mean values were overall high for both females and males. Respondents over 30 years of age reported significantly more positive social relations and more satisfaction with the neighbourhood compared to respondents under the age of 30. Respondents belonging to a group with high scores of social integration scored significantly lower on anxiety, depression, and somatisation. Conclusively, social integration can be regarded as a resource for psychological health

Mental Health Concomitants Related to Controlling Behaviours Perpetrated by Husbands and Mothers-in-Law in Pakistan

The aim of the study was to investigate mental health concomitants related to controlling behaviours perpetrated by husbands and mothers-in-law against wives in Pakistan. A questionnaire was completed by married 569 women. The mean age was 31.4 years. The women were significantly more often victimised from controlling behaviours perpetrated by the husband than by the mother-in-law. The age of the wife did not correlate with the frequency of controlling behaviours exerted by the husband but was negatively correlated with controlling behaviours perpetrated by the mother-in-law. Women who were frequently victimised by both the husband and the mother-in-law reported the significantly highest scores on anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive symptoms, and somatisation. Those who were infrequently victimised by both the husband and the mother-in-law reported the significantly lowest scores on the same variables. Victimisation from controlling behaviours were associated with psychological concomitants. Victimisation from both the husband and the mother-in-law simultaneously shoved the highest association with psychological problems

Risk Factors for Sexual Harassment in Public Places

The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for victimisation from sexual harassment in public places. A questionnaire was completed by 591 female university students in Finland. The mean age was 25.2 years (SD = 7.1). Nonverbal sexual harassment was found to be the most common type of sexual harassment, followed by physical. The most common place of victimisation was in a nightclub or bar, and the most common perpetrator was a stranger. The most common single acts of victimisation were to be stared at with filthy looks and talked to in an unpleasant sexual way. Victimisation from sexual harassment in public places was significantly predicted by physical punishment during childhood, victimisation from peer aggression at school, victimisation from verbal and physical intimate partner aggression, and low self-esteem. When frequency of sexual harassment was controlled for, emotional distress caused by sexual harassment correlated significantly with victimisation from verbal intimate partner aggression, victimisation from peer aggression at school, and a low self-esteem, suggesting sensitisation to aggression. In this sample of Finnish university students, the levels of victimisation from sexual harassment were low. Victimisation from other types of aggression and low self-esteem were identified as possible risk factors for victimisation from sexual harassment

Victimisation of Married Pakistani Women From Three Types of Aggression Perpetrated by Their Mother-in-Law, and Mental Health Concomitants

The aim of the study was to investigate victimisation of married women from aggression perpetrated by the mothers-in-law, and its psychological concomitants. A questionnaire was completed by 569 married women in Pakistan. The mean age was 31.4 years (SD 9.1). Mothers-in-law perpetrated more verbal and indirect aggression than physical aggression against their daughters-in-law. Anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive symptoms, and somatisation were all associated with aggression perpetrated by the mothers-in-law. The mothers-in-law had significantly more often than the husbands perpetrated indirect aggression against the daughters-in-law, while the husbands had perpetrated both physical and verbal aggression against their wife significantly more often than the mothers-in-laws. It was concluded that aggression perpetrated by mothers-in-law is a significant problem and associated with mental health problems in married Pakistani women

Cultural Hurdles and Family Restrictions on Female Political Participation Among Representatives to the Union Parishads of Bangladesh

The aim of the study was to investigate cultural hurdles and family restrictions on female political participation among representatives to the Union Parishads of Bangladesh. A questionnaire was completed by 680 representatives from 128 Union Parishads, the rural local governance, of Bangladesh (347 females, 333 males).  The mean age was 42.6 years (SD = 6.4) for females and 43.9 (SD = 6.2) for males. A questionnaire was constructed for measuring political participation, experiences of females and observations by males regarding cultural hurdles and family restrictions on female political participation. The amount of both cultural hurdles and family restrictions experienced by female representatives were significantly higher than the amounts their male colleagues had observed. Women with low levels of political participation had experienced high levels of cultural hurdles and low levels of family restrictions. Women with high levels of political participation experienced low levels of cultural hurdles and high levels of family restrictions. For females, age correlated negatively with cultural hurdles but not with family restrictions. Female political participation in the Union Parishads of Bangladesh is hampered by both cultural hurdles and family restrictions. Male colleagues did not observe the full amount of hurdles that females experienced