Clinical and Counselling Psychology Review

Perfectionism, Academic Procrastination and Psychological Distress in University Students

Tania Anwar — 2024-06-28

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between perfectionism and academic procrastination and psychological distress in undergraduate university students. It was hypothesized that maladaptive perfectionism and academic procrastination are likely to predict psychological distress. Further aim of the study was to determine the mediating role of academic procrastination in the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and psychological distress in undergraduate university students. A correlational research design was employed, using a purposive sampling technique to collect online data. The sample comprised of 244 male and female undergraduate students from both public and private sector universities. Assessment tools included the Almost Perfect Scale- Revised (APS-R), Procrastination Assessment Scale-Students (PASS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used to measure perfectionism, academic procrastination and psychological distress respectively. The data were analyzed by applying descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson product correlation, multiple hierarchal regression and mediation analysis. The results showed that maladaptive perfectionism and academic procrastination were positively correlated with psychological distress, whereas adaptive perfectionism had no significant relationship with psychological distress. Moreover, maladaptive perfectionism and academic procrastination emerged as significant positive predictors of psychological distress among undergraduate university students. The main findings of mediation analysis revealed that academic procrastination partially mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and psychological distress. The result was discussed in the light of previous literature, theoretical and cultural background.

Attachment Styles, Love Styles, and Romantic Jealousy among Late Adolescents and Young Adults: An Analytical Study

Ameer Hamza — 2024-06-28

The current study aims to discuss the relationship among attachment styles, love styles, and romantic jealousy in late adolescents and young adults. Correlational research method was used and data was collected through purposive sampling technique. The sample comprised of males (N = 177) and females (N = 128). Revised Adult Attachment Scale, Love Attitude Scale (short form), and Multidimensional Jealousy Scale were used for data collection. The analysis showed significant correlation of mania and ludus love styles with anxious attachment style. Anxious attachment, mania, and ludus love were found positively associated with cognitive jealousy, emotional jealousy, and behavioral jealousy. Moreover, close love style was significantly correlated with eros love style and depend attachment style was positively correlated with pragma and eros love styles. Linear regression was applied to find out the predictions. Ludus love style was significantly predicted by anxious attachment, while close attachment was a significant predictor of eros love style. However, depend attachment significantly predicted pragma love style. Hence, the study has practical implications in family and relationship counselling. It will help to better understand the relationship problems that are rapidly prevailing in our culture.

Effectiveness of Social Skills Training Program on a Withdrawn Child from a Shanty Town: A Case Study

Ayesha Asghar — 2024-06-28

The current case study describes the effectiveness of social skills training in enhancing the academic performance of a 7 years old girl studying in a shanty town school. Family history and academic history showed the gradual development of her problem. Assessments via observation, clinical interview, and portage guide to early education (PGEE) further confirmed that she tended to be socially isolated, lacked initiative and participation in class activities, and had no friends. Numerous techniques were used to achieve the goal, such as physical prompts, modeling, and play therapy (drawing and painting). A remarkable change was observed both in her academic and social functioning after 12 sessions. The therapist faced many challenges including difficulty in building rapport and absence of contact with parents while dealing with the particular child.

Beliefs about Precarious Manhood and Psychological Distress among Adult Men in Pakistani Context: Mediating Role of Body Dissatisfaction

Muhammad Bilal Anwaar — 2024-06-28

Beliefs about precarious manhood is a notion stating that manhood is a socially acquired status that needs to be continuously earned and defended because it can be seized. The current quantitative study employed a correlational research design to investigate the relationship among perceptions about precarious manhood, body dissatisfaction, and psychological distress among adult men through the mediating role of body dissatisfaction. This study aimed to provide insights into how men's mental health and body image are influenced by their ideas about masculinity. The data was collected from 200 adult men using a convenience sampling strategy. To collect the data, scales, including Precarious Manhood Beliefs Scale (PMBS), Body Parts Satisfaction Scale for Men (BPSS-M), and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) were used. It was found that beliefs about precarious manhood were significantly positively correlated with psychological distress among adult men, suggesting that perceptions of masculinity can contribute to emotional strain. Moreover, body dissatisfaction partially mediated this relationship, suggesting that dissatisfaction with physical appearance plays a key role in amplifying the psychological impact of these beliefs. Future research should focus on specific body image factors such as muscularity, fat ratio, and leanness in relation to precarious manhood, while practitioners and policymakers should address how societal gender norms impact men’s mental health and body image.

Disparities of Depression and Anxiety among Medical Students

Maahin Rizwan — 2024-06-28

The current study sought to assess the gender differences in relation to anxiety and depression among medical students. This cross-sectional study took a sample consisted (N=240) of medical students (males: n=104 and females: n=136) with a mean age of 22.9 years (SD=2.13). For assessment, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used. Data was stored and analyzed in SPSS version 2.1. Findings demonstrated that 32.4% students scored at the minimal range of depression, while 30.3% scored at mild depression level, 23.4% were at moderate level of depression, and 13.9% students scored at severe depression level. Approximately, 27.4% students scored at minimal range of anxiety, students with mild anxiety were 33.6%, and 20.3% students were at moderate anxiety level, while 18.7% students scored at severe level of anxiety. By applying independent sample t-test to determine gender differences, results demonstrated no significant gender differences in depression (p> .05). However, a significant difference was found for anxiety where male students exhibited higher levels of anxiety than females (p< .05). Moreover, depression and anxiety were significantly higher among hostelite students than day-scholars (p<.05). It was concluded that a marked number of medical students had clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. The frequency was higher among hostelite students than day-scholars, and male students experienced more anxiety than female students. The study findings highlighted gender and residential presentation of the students as a risk factor of depression and anxiety among the medical students.