Dilwar Hussain

Posttraumatic stress and growth among Tibetan refugees: the mediating role of cognitive‐emotional regulation strategies

This study examined posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among 226 Tibetan refugees across two generations. Additional objectives were to (i) examine the sex and generation differences on the scores of trauma, PTS, and PTG, (ii) explore the relationship between traumatic experiences, PTS and PTG, and (iii) investigate the mediating effect of cognitive-emotional regulation strategies between the traumatic experiences and PTS as well as PTG. Females scored higher on trauma, PTS, and PTG. The trauma, PTS, and PTG scores of the two generations were significantly different. Acceptance and putting into perspective partially mediated the relationship between traumatic experience and PTS. Positive refocusing, refocus on planning, putting into perspective, and catastrophisizing partially mediated the relationship between traumatic experiences and PTG.

Posttraumatic Growth Experiences among Tibetan Refugees: A Qualitative Investigation

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the phenomenon of positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. This study is a qualitative investigation of PTG experiences among 12 Tibetan refugees residing in Dharmshala, Himachal Pradesh, India. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the narratives of case studies in order to explore various dimensions of PTG experienced by the participants as a result of facing various adversities in their lives. Major themes depicting posttraumatic growth experiences included positive changes in outlook toward the world and people, realization of personal strengths, and the experience of more intimate and meaningful relationships. This study indicates that the cultural worldviews provided necessary thrust and schemas for the PTG. Integrating these factors in health services may encourage positive growth outcomes among Tibetan refugees.

Cultural factors promoting coping among Tibetan refugees: a qualitative investigation

This study is an attempt to understand the role of cultural resources in promoting coping among Tibetan refugees. Tibetan refugee communities have adapted well and managed to preserve their cultural identity in exile and have been cited as models of successful coping with refugee life. Tibet is renowned for its rich culture and traditions. The unique feature of this culture is the devotion towards Buddhism which has exerted a strong influence in almost every aspect of their life and culture. This study is a qualitative investigation of 12 Tibetan refugees coming from diverse background (students, businessmen, activists, and ex-prisoners). Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the narratives of case studies in order to explore various cultural factors promoting healthy coping. Major themes related to the cultural resources promoting healthy coping included – protective hand of Dalai Lama and other Lamas, Buddhist philosophy and practices, community bonding and support, and historical exemplars of strength and resiliency.

Current Status and Future Directions for Cultural Intelligence

Abstract The concept of cultural intelligence was formulated to ease and understand multicultural interactions in business organizations. Based on the theory of multiple intelligence; it is the cross-cultural facet of intelligence that assists adaptive cultural adjustment. Due to its implications for the contemporary world witnessing increased cultural contact and clashes; it has attracted multidisciplinary scholarly interest. This article reviews the development, validation and major approaches to the construct, along with a focus on its critical analysis. Significance of the construct in promoting intercultural discourse to encourage pacific multicultural existence is implicated. Furthermore, suggestions are made to extend the scope of cultural intelligence research and integrate it in diverse fields encompassing intercultural contact and communication.

Cross-Cultural Challenges to the Construct “Posttraumatic Growth”

ABSTRACT Responses of individuals to traumatic events are varied. Traumatic events can lead to positive transformations that are known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Most of the empirical studies of PTG have been addressed from a Western perspective. Theoretically, the concept appears to be cross-culturally valid, but there has been a fundamental deficiency in operationalizing the concept in regard to cultures that are non-Western. Cultural elements play an important role in influencing the behavior of individuals in the aftermath of trauma. Hence, it is important to conceptualize and measure PTG in the framework of the culture to which the individual belongs. The effects of culture come from both the immediate culture (proximal) and the broader (distal) sources that impact the nature of rumination, cognitive strategies, and the process of growth. This paper addresses various cross-cultural challenges to the construct PTG such as emic versus etic perspectives on PTG, proximate and distal influences of culture on PTG, specific cultural influences on rumination, cognitive strategies, and growth, cultural bias inherent in theories of PTG, and measurement issues of PTG across cultures.

Integrating Nurtured Heart Approach with Self-Determination Theory: A Proposed Intervention Model for Managing Disruptive Behaviors of Children

ABSTRACT This paper presents a conceptual framework to understand the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) through the perspective of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The Nurtured Heart Approach and the Self-Determination Theory are discussed and the parallels are drawn between the two, to provide a theoretical foundation to NHA and support for its effectiveness, which is otherwise lacking. The NHA, developed to help parents manage the undesirable behaviors of children, does not have a foundation of any particular theory. The approach is backed by anecdotal reports rather than empirical findings. Self-Determination Theory is a broad theory of motivation that proposes that human beings have three basic psychological needs-the need for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. The main techniques of NHA fit well with the elements which support the satisfaction of these basic psychological needs. The paper provides a theoretical framework to NHA by highlighting how it brings about sustainable behavioral change and self-regulation by fulfilling the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs as proposed by SDT.

Conceptual Referents, Personality Traits and Income-Happiness Relationship: An Empirical Investigation

One of the ongoing debates in social indicator and subjective well-being research is concerned with the weak relationship between objective (such as income) and subjective indicators of well-being (such as life satisfaction). Empirical studies show that the relationship between subjective and the traditional objective well-being indicators is weak. This relationship is found to be very complex and far from clear. The present study tries to shed lights behind the complexity of the relationship between income and subjective well-being (SWB) by bringing into the analysis some alternative factors such as heterogeneity in the human perception and purpose of life (conceptual referent theory) and personality traits. Conceptual referent theory of happiness proposes that people differ in their conceptual referent for a happy life and this referent plays a significant role in their judgment about happiness and life satisfaction. Results of this cross-sectional survey based on 500 individuals residing in rural and urban areas indicate that the relationship between income and life satisfaction is not very strong. Furthermore, the relationship between income and life satisfaction is contingent on a person’s conceptual referent for happiness. This study suggests that income seems to have a significant influence on life satisfaction for some people (especially with outer oriented referents) and insignificant influence for other people (especially holding inner oriented referents). Additionally, neuroticism personality trait was able to further explain the relationship between income and life satisfaction. It was observed that the individuals with higher level of neuroticism tend to get a lower level of satisfaction from income rise as compared to individuals with lower level of neuroticism.

Poverty, Social Exclusion and Health: A Case-Study on the Koutruk Community of Manipur

Social exclusion is the process through which individuals or groups are wholly or partially excluded from the society in which they live. Social exclusion is the driving force of health inequalities. It may directly influence health by affecting the health system and indirectly by affecting economic and other social inequalities that influence health. This qualitative study explored the experiences of social exclusion among members of a remote and marginalised community of Manipur, India (Koutruk). Furthermore, this study aimed at understanding various factors responsible for social exclusion, especially in the health-care service sector and how these factors adversely affect their health. Seven key community members and two medical officers from adjacent primary health-care centres were selected purposively and were asked to participate in the semi-structured interview. Data generated from the interviews were qualitatively analysed using a thematic approach. This study clearly demonstrated that the Koutruk community has been experiencing social exclusion in various dimensions such as education, employment and health-care services. Furthermore, the prevalence of high poverty in the community can be considered the cause as well as product of social exclusion. The health status of the community was found to be very poor. High infant and maternal mortality rates, as well as various diseases were found in the community. Multiple factors were found to be responsible for exclusion of this community in the health sector. Major factors include physical isolation due to poor transportation and communication as well as cultural differences, high poverty and unemployment, traditional beliefs and attitudes about health and wellness, lack of awareness due to illiteracy and lack of support from governmental and non-governmental agencies, prejudice and discrimination by the dominant majority ethnic group and so on. Finally, policy implications of this research are also addressed.

Healing Through Writing: Insights from Research

Over the past two decades, a growing body of research has demonstrated that writing about traumatic or stressful events or experiences has a positive impact on physical and psychological health. This paper reviews the research findings related to expressive writing and health, in clinical as well as non-clinical populations. Research findings comparing the health benefits of vocal and written disclosure of traumatic experiences are addressed. Possible pathways or mechanisms through which expressive writing affects health are discussed. Finally, major issues that need serious attention from researchers in this area for future research are suggested.