Schools In Delhi Research Articles

Parenting Style in Relation to Mental Health among Female Adolescents

Behavioural problems of the children are said to be caused mainly because of the nurturance and child rearing styles of the patents. The increased level of stress and anxiety in the family surroundings, which in turn influence parent child relationship, is caused due to the disorganized parenting style. The present study is designed to examine the parenting style as a correlate of mental health among female adolescents. Female adolescents (N=70), studyingin in different schools of Delhi/ NCR has been taken as the sample of the study. Parenting style was asessed by Measure of Parental style (MOPS), Parker and mental health of adolescents by DASS. The finding of the study indicated a positive significant relationship between all the dimensions of parenting style of mother and mental health i.e., indifference parenting style of mother and stress (r=0.346); over controlling parenting of mothers and stress, (r=0.350); anxiet, ( r=0.400), and depression, (r=0.453). A significant positive relationship also exist between indifference parenting style of mother and anxiety, (r=0.284). As far as the abuse parenting style is concerned, a significant positive relationship found with anxiety irrespective of gender (with father, r=0.242). (with mother, r=0.431). A significant relationship also exists between abuseparenting of mother and stress, (r=0.252); and depression (r=0.332). No significant relationship exist between any other constructs of parenting style of father and mental health. It was reported by some of the adolescents suffering from various health issues likeinsensible, cold, pretentious behavior and unbearable words of their parents. Thus, the findingsof this study can be implemented in tailoring adolescent health promotion interventions.

Validation of ICMR index for identification of dental fluorosis in epidemiological studies.

Background & objectives:The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) formulated a Task Force on dental fluorosis and recommended the subgroup to develop a simplified index for identification and grading of dental fluorosis to be used by the health workers. This study was conducted to pre-test the ‘ICMR Index for Dental Fluorosis’ in the field to check its reliability and reproducibility.Methods:A total of 600 photographs were taken, 150 in each grade of fluorosis by screening 14-17 yr school children from eight schools of Hisar (Haryana) and South west Delhi. Eighty photographs were finalized (20 in each grade) before calibration to be used for training of field workers. Calibration exercise was conducted involving the five member survey team on 100 diagnosed cases of dental fluorosis. The members again screened 74 children with dental fluorosis in the field to categorize in to different grades of fluorosis for assessment of inter-examiner reliability.Results:The ICMR criteria showed more difference in agreement in very mild and mild categories during calibration. The inter-examiner reliability (κ) ranged from 0.59-1. The criteria was further modified and inter- examiner reliability (κ) found to be 0.83-0.98 which was almost perfect agreement.Interpretation & conclusions:The tool developed by the ICMR to assess dental fluorosis can be used in a field set up by non-dental personnel reliably with high degree of reproducibility.

A study of the job satisfaction of secondary school teachers in relation to their sense of humour

The study has been conducted on a sample of 100 teacher's job satisfaction in relation to their sense of humour. The sample has been taken of those teachers who are teaching in senior secondary schools of Delhi. Thesamples of teachers areselected randomly. The data was analyzed statistically by using mean, S.D, SEm &t-value and the study revealed that there is significant differencesamong the job satisfaction of senior secondary school teacher's in relation to their high sense of humour and low sense of humour.

Overweight/obesity and physical work capacity of affluent adolescent girls (13-15 years) studying in selected public schools of Delhi

Background: Adolescent obesity is closely linked to lifestyle factors, including unhealthy eating habits and decreased physical activity. Objective: To identify overweight/obese adolescent girls aged 13–15 years and assess their physical work capacity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at four public schools of Delhi catering to the affluent population involving 80 girls with body mass index (BMI) value falling above the 5th percentile. BMI was computed from height and weight measurements. General information about the subjects was obtained using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire-cum-interview schedule. Dietary intake of all the girls was assessed by 24-h recall method for 3 days. Physical work capacity determined by 3-min step test, and pre- and postexercise heart rate and blood pressure were recorded for both groups. Result: About 70% and 50% of overweight/obese subjects possessed both parents and siblings overweight/obese, respectively. Junk food consumption was higher among the overweight/obese girls, and they indulged in activities that were purely sedentary in nature. Mean daily intake of food groups including milk, meat, fat, and sugar and of nutrients including energy, protein, thiamin, and niacin was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the overweight/obese group when compared with the normal subjects. The mean pre- and postexercise heart rate and blood pressure levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) for the overweight/obese group. Conclusion: Faulty eating habits and insufficient physical activity have contributed to obesity in affluent adolescent girls of Delhi. This has led to significantly poorer physical work capacity in these girls when compared with girls showing normal weight status.

Income Disparity as a Predictor of Happiness and Self-Esteem

Context: Researchers have studied extensively whether people with higher income are happier. But still there is a controversy among the researchers regarding the relationship between income and happiness. Few researchers have demonstrated a correlation between higher income and greater happiness (Clark, 2008 and Chicago Tribune, 2010). Whereas other found that happiness remained stagnant despite large increases in average real personal income. (Easterlin, 1974) 90 female high school teachers from private schools in Delhi and NCR were taken as a sample of the study. All the participants were equally divided into 3 groups on the basis of their income i.e. 15,000-20,000, 20,100 – 25,000 and 25,100 – 30,000 per month. Context: Researchers have studied extensively whether people with higher income are happier. But still there is a controversy among the researchers regarding the relationship between income and happiness. Few researchers have demonstrated a correlation between higher income and greater happiness (Clark, 2008 and Chicago Tribune, 2010). Whereas other found that happiness remained stagnant despite large increases in average real personal income. (Easterlin, 1974) 90 female high school teachers from private schools in Delhi and NCR were taken as a sample of the study. All the participants were equally divided into 3 groups on the basis of their income i.e. 15,000-20,000, 20,100 – 25,000 and 25,100 – 30,000 per month.

Positive and Negative Peer Contagion In Relation To Quality of Friend and Friendship

Peer contagion describes a mutual influence process that occurs between an individual and a peer and includes behaviors and emotions that potentially undermine one’s own development or cause harm to others. The influence process often occurs outside of awareness; participants may not intend to influence their peers, but they engage in relationship behaviors that satisfy immediate needs for an audience or companionship, and these behaviors inadvertently influence themselves or others. It can be of two types positive and negative peer contagion. Negative peer contagion include- aggression where as positive would include altruistic behavior. Different ways to reduce peer contagion would that include evaluation of aggression, intervention strategies for youth. The present study conducted on 250 adolescents (age between 13 to15). Then on the basis of screening total number of 120 subjects were selected and divided into two equal groups of 60 subjects; each group had 30 low and 30 high quality of friendship group. They were selected from different schools of South Delhi. Tools used in the study are Aggression Questionnaire, Self-report altruistic scale (SRA), Quality of friendship questionnaire; Quality of friend (Interview schedule).The result suggested that there is no interaction between quality of friend and the quality of friendship in the positive peer contagion. But desirable friend and undesirable friend and high and low quality of friendship can distinguished on the positive peer contagion. On the negative peer contagion there is interaction between the quality of friendship and quality of friend and also high quality of friendship is highly related to it, also negative peer contagion is more related to undesirable friend.

Parent-Adolescent Interaction and Outcomes

This study aimed to investigate perception of parent-adolescent interaction, outcomes and also to find out gender differences (girl Vs mother, girls Vs father and boy Vs mother, boy Vs father). Data were collected from 1719 adolescents (692 girls, 1027 boys) studying in 7th (329 boys, 263 girls), 9th (320 boys, 244 girls) and 11th (378 boys, 185 girls) classes of some selected schools of Delhi. Age ranged from 11-17 years. Self constructed questionnaire was used to find out parent-adolescent interaction and outcomes, categorized into 5 dimensions namely; Quality of interaction, Parental support, Kind of Treatment, Punishment and Reward and Criticism/Complaints between adolescents and their parents. Students were asked to mark their responses separately for father and mother, as per instructions provided for each section. Means and standard deviations were calculated. ‘t’ test was used to find out significance of difference between means. The result revealed that there are significant differences in parental interaction and outcomes with adolescent of different age groups and sex.

P03.08 Prevailing myths and misconceptions and effect of intervention in changing the attitude of secondary school students of south delhi regarding hiv/aids and positive persons

Background Despite detailed information available regarding HIV infection, a lot of misconceptions and the infection is still regarded as a taboo and the positive person is discriminated. Youth can play an important role in removing this taboo. Methods The NGO is involved in giving life skills education to school children. This study part of the same involved students of class IX onwards selected from eight schools of South Delhi. Students were administered anonymous semi structured pre tested pro forma seeking information regarding age, sex, various myths/misconceptions regarding HIV infection and their attitude towards HIV positive person. After a detailed brainstorming interactive session the students were given one hour break and they were asked to visit the hall where IEC material in the form of leaflets and charts was displayed. After the break same pro forma marked ‘B’ was given to be filled. Results A total of 400 students were given the pro forma and there were 8 refusals, giving a response rate of 98%. Of these 192 males and 200 females responded. Myths/misconceptions regarding transmission were: through blood donation 154 (39.28%), swimming in common pool 225 (57.39%), playing together 278 (70.91%) and shaking hands 202 (51.53%) and after intervention came down respectively to 54 (13.77%), 98 (25.0%), 95 (24.23%) and 89 (22.70%). Attitude towards a positive person was adjudged by asking fear of eating 276 (70.4%), having friendship 191 (48.7%), allowed to attend school 270 (68.9%) and by taking care 319 (81.4%), and the same changed respectively after intervention to: 116 (29.59%), 331 (84.43%), 352 (89.79%) and 376 (95.91%). Conclusion Intervention helped to improve upon knowledge and change in attitude but one time intervention is not enough and sustained efforts are required to bring adequate and a positive change in the minds of youth to stop stigma and discrimination. Conflict of interest None.

Making Our Judgments Right: Ethics of Corporal Punishment in Indian Schools

The case Ayub Khan v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi Schools is one of the landmark cases for promoting a conversation on ethics of corporal punishment in Indian society. Based on literature synthesis and the critical examination of the Court case using ethical frameworks (Stefkovich, 2006; Stefkovich & Shapiro, 2010) this paper argues that law alone may not preclude teachers from using an age old practice such as corporal punishment. Furthermore using literature related to the Court case as secondary data sources, the paper argues that teachers trained in incorporating ethical paradigms in their decision making presents best chances for effective implementation of laws against corporal punishment in Indian schools.

Novel school-based health intervention program—a step toward early diabetes prevention

The purpose of this study is to determine the existing knowledge, attitude, practices (KAP), and impact of intervention with diabetes awareness and prevention education among school students in New Delhi, India. The Diabetes Awareness and Prevention Education is a 2-year, school-based intervention, conducted with two cohorts of students who were in the sixth and seventh grade when the study started from six schools of Delhi (n = 3 private and 3 government), India. These schools were purposively selected to represent socioeconomic strata and different geographies within Delhi. Students in these schools were surveyed before the intervention began and after 1-year intervention (n = 1520). The intervention used strategies which included the following: orientation workshops for teacher coordinators and peer leaders, interactive classroom sessions (curriculum) led by trained teachers, peer-led small group activities (peer-led health activism), fun learning games, students’ worksheets, and intraschool competitions, etc. After intervention, significantly more students reported that diabetes is high level of glucose in blood than at baseline. Consumption of junk food items significantly reduced among students post intervention. A total of 6.5 and 13.8 % more students in private and government schools, respectively, reported outdoor activities during leisure time. Teacher-led classroom discussions with active youth engagement and empowerment (peer-led health activism) can be an important strategy with potential long-term benefits for early diabetes prevention.

Relationship between Forgiveness, Gratitude and Resilience among the Adolescents

Role of positive psychology is to nurture values and strengths in individuals and society. Forgiveness trait of temperance, and Gratitude trait of transcendence, are criteria of character strength (Christopher Peterson, Martin Seligman, 2004). Resilience is the ability to spring back from adversity and successfully adapt to any situation. These three traits play a significant role in deriving satisfaction and making life meaningful. These values need to be nurtured in children from the beginning. Hence, the objective of the present study was to assess forgiveness, gratitude and resilience among the adolescents and find out the strength of their inter-relationship. The sample consisted of 150 Grade XI students from the schools of Delhi. The tools used were Heartland Forgiveness Scale by Thompson et al., 2005, Gratitude Questionnaire-six item form by McCullough et al., 2002, and Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM) by Ungar and Liebenberg (2011). These tools have been used in various studies in the Indian context. The statistical analysis showed a correlation of 0.23 between forgiveness and resilience, a correlation of 0.27 between gratitude and resilience and a correlation of 0.24 between forgiveness and gratitude. Though the correlation values were low, they were found to be significant. Interestingly, school-wise analysis showed different results for different schools; thus indicating a probable role played by the school environment, and socio-economic status of the students. Further, gender difference was seen with regard to gratitude having more correlation with resilience in case of girls; whereas forgiveness was related more to resilience in case of boys. Further study is suggested taking into account the above variables.

A Study of Growth of Secondary Education in Delhi

While India has seen a rapid expansion in secondary education, there has been a drift of demand towards private schooling with a large number of parents choosing this in preference to government schools. The present study made an attempt to analyze the pattern of growth of secondary education in Delhi, using data from SEMIS and Directorate of Education. For in depth study primary data was also collected from senior secondary schools of Delhi. The analysis emphasizes the pattern of growth in number of schools and participation in secondary and senior secondary level under different management and the factors affecting the shift in demand towards private schools in Delhi. The overarching findings suggest that in Delhi the government schools have basic resources but, private unaided schools have more advanced resources that are academically important, such as better classroom availability, internet connection, science laboratory and variety of books in the library, which are causing the shift in choice of schools. We also see that, within the sample, children in private schools seem to perform better academically, despite better-qualified and more experienced teachers working in government schools.

Predictors of prevalence of overweight and obesity in children

Introduction: The world health report in 2002 demonstrated a rise in prevalence in noncommunicable diseases in developing countries such as India. The prevalence of becoming overweight among children has markedly increased over the past 20 years. Body mass index is the most widely used parameter to define obesity. This study was conducted with the aim to find the association in children of higher socioeconomic status who are battling overweight or obesity as a problem and studying in private schools in West Delhi. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in two private schools in Delhi, India, during school hours from July 2013 to June 2014. Students of age group 10–18 years studying in Class VI to XIIth were included in this study. Children with a history of chronic illness were excluded from the study. Results: This study enrolled a total of 1250 students. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two private schools in Delhi, India. Seven hundred and fifteen (57.2%) were males and 535 (42.8%) were females. A maximum number of students (254, 20.3%) were in the category of 11-year age group. In all categories of age groups, male children were more than female children except in 17–18-year age group. Prevalence of overweight children was 11.8% and obese children was 7.5%. Overweight children were maximum in 11-year age group (20.1%) and minimum in 17-year age group (5.3%). While prevalence of obesity was maximum in 18-year age group (15%) and minimum in 15 years of age group (3.2%). Incidence of overweight was more in males (56.5%) than females (43.5%). Obesity was also more in male children than female children. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a higher prevalence among overweight (11.8%) children compared to children who are obese (7.5%). Junk food consumption, dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle of using technology as entertainment, and easy modes of transport to school are perhaps the contributors to give rise to the higher prevalence of health issues in these children. The results of this study can be applicable to similar future studies. Health education regarding prevention of obesity and its risk factors leading to mortality should be included in the curriculum in all schools. Regular health awareness program for parents and children should be conducted from time to time to assess healthier lifestyle motivation among city living population.

Accuracy of body weight perceptions among students in a medical school in Central Delhi, India.

Body image is an important aspect of the complex creation of one's self-identity. The relationship between nutritional disorders, like obesity, and one's perception of her or his body is well documented. Obesity among medical students and health personnel is on the rise. Identifying and measuring the magnitude of distortion in body image self-perception among medical students is particularly relevant, as they are future healthcare providers. This paper assesses self-perceptions of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity among medical undergraduate students in an Indian medical school. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 161 sixth semester medical undergraduate students in a school in Delhi, India. A pretested questionnaire was used. Anthropometric measurements were taken. The participation rate was 93.6%. Out of the total 161 students, there were 60.9% males and 39.1% females. Most participants were classified as normal (55.9%) according to BMI. The proportions of actual obese, overweight and underweight students were 4.4%, 30.4% and 9.3%, respectively. However, the proportion of students perceiving themselves as obese or overweight was only 37.3%. A significantly higher proportion of females (57.2%) than males (20.4%) perceived themselves as overweight (P < 0.001). The agreement between actual BMI and perceived weight was poor (kappa statistic: 0.33). Among actual overweight and obese students, only one-third were physically active. Students who were overweight or obese often failed to perceive themselves as such and, perhaps consequently, were not engaging in weight control practices. There is a need to develop health promotion interventions that help build healthy body habitus perceptions among this group of Indian medical students.

A Study of Emotional Intelligence of Secondary and Senior Secondary School Teachers in Relation to Age and Gender

The present study examines the effect of gender, age variations and their interaction on Emotional Intelligence of Secondary and Senior Secondary school teachers working in the different types of the schools in Delhi. Descriptive research design was adopted and a sample of 50 male and 50 female teachers was drawn from various schools of Delhi. Teacher's Emotional Intelligence Inventory (2008) by Dr. Shubhra Mangal was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation were used to examine the nature of distribution of scores. Two way ANOVA with 2×5 factorial design (gender and age groups as independent variables and emotional intelligence of teachers as dependent variable) was applied to study the effect of gender, age variations and interaction effect of gender and age variations on Emotional Intelligence of Secondary and Senior Secondary school teachers. One independent variable-gender was having two levels: male and female; and another independent variable age groups was having five levels i.e., (25 or less), (26–35), (36–45), (46–55) and (56 or more).A significant main effect of gender on emotional intelligence of teachers was found, suggesting that female teachers are more emotionally intelligent as compared to male teachers. A significant main effect of age groups on emotional intelligence of teachers was found, suggesting that emotional intelligence is not same across all age levels. The age group and gender interaction was found to be insignificant.

Inculcation of Values through Literature among Children: An Evaluation of NCERT English Textbook of Class-V

The present study assesses the effectiveness of English literature in inculcation of values among children, to identify the various values reflected through prose and poetry of Standard 5 of NCERT. The study revealed the proposed applicability of weaning away a separate value education curriculum in order to integrate values in all subjects and strive for holistic education among children. Qualitative method has been used and the Standard 5 of NCERT literature text books have been extensively read, reviewed and analysed in order to list out the values that were present in the content. Besides this, five English language teachers of government as well as of private schools of New Delhi were interviewed and two classes of each teacher were observed. The responses of the teachers’ questionnaires revealed that teachers’ contribution in terms of efforts put in towards awareness of values were minimal. During the textbook analysis and lesson observation, it was realised that a break from routine was very beneficial because it offer teachers, the chance to do something different that was enjoyed by all and all the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking could be integrated if teachers know the right methods to transact the content.

Accuracy of visual assessment by school teachers in school eye screening program in delhi.

Background:Although school eye screening is a major activity of the National Program for Control of Blindness, inadequate evidence exists about accuracy of school teachers in screening.Objectives:Compare quality of referral for subnormal vision by school teachers and primary eye care workers (PECW) in school children and to establish appropriate cutoff for identification of subnormal vision in school going children.Materials and Methods:This was a cross-sectional study involving school children studying in classes 1 to 9 in different schools of Delhi evaluated for sub-normal vision. Vision was recorded by the teacher and a primary eye care worker especially trained for the study using the optotypes of Early treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Survey (ETDRS) vision chart with standard lighting.Results:The total number of children enlisted in the 20 selected schools was 10,114. Of these, 9838 (97.3%) children were examined in the study. The mean age of children enrolled in the study was 11.6 ± 2.19 years with 6752 (66.9%) males. The sensitivity and specificity of teachers in comparison to PECW using 6/9.5 vision level as cutoff for referral was 79.2% and 93.3%, respectively compared to 77.0% and 97.1%, respectively on using the 6/12 optotype. The results showed significantly higher sensitivity and lower specificity for private schools against government schools and for older against younger children.Conclusions:Our results show that the use of teachers and shift to use of the 6/12 sized “E” for the school eye screening (SES) program is appropriate and would substantially reduce the work of eye care providers while improving its overall efficiency.

Observations and Modeling of the Climatic Impact of Land-Use Changes 2014

1 Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China 2Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India 3School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100038, China 4Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Center for Spatial Analysis, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA 5Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, USA

Dr. Raj Agarwal- An Economist , Prolific Writer and Keen Researcher

Currently, Dr. Raj Agrawal is Director of AIMA-CME. Before joining AIMA-CME Dr. Agrawal was Director of IILM Academy of Higher Learning, Greater Noida. He is also a Visiting Research Professor in Montana State University, Billings, US. He has more than twenty years of academic experience of working in prestigious national institutions like; All India Management Association, Association of Indian Universities, Motilal Regional Engineering College and other national insti- tutes. Earlier also Dr Agrawal has worked in AIMA-CME as Officiating Director/Dean from 2000 to 2003. He is also guest faculty in prestigious institutes like; IMT, IIFT and Delhi School of Economics.

The Accidental Prime Minister:The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh's doctoral thesis at Oxford on India's export trends and prospects in 1966 opened for him the doors of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and then the Delhi School of Economics which then had a global prominence with its faculty on board including Amartya Sen, Jagadish Bhagawati and Sukhamay Chakravarti. The prominence of this institution made him accept the invitation of K. N. Raj and decline the insistence of the head of UNCTAD Raul Prebisch to stay back. The book is useful to any ambitious scholar in building his/her prospective career to learn through Singh's ladder climbing and handling different positions with patience and unvocal efficiency. One can learn from the book how Singh got many different administrative posts in the government and finally made a direct entry into politics in 1991. The subsequent story is known to everyone. Equally importantly Baru attempts to present to the readers Singh's voracious readership and his belief in the correctness of his economic policies.