Informatics Publishing Limited

Shyla Thomas Puthusserry ¹, Clarissa F. Delariarte ²

Affiliations
1 Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines ., IN
2 Graduate School, University of Santo 2 Tomas, Philippines, Far Eastern University, Philippines, De La Salle University, Philippines ., IN

Abstract

After the widespread of COVID-19, the stressful situation negatively affected the women's menstrual cycle and increased the severity of the premenstrual syndrome. This qualitative study presents evidence of young women's perceptions and experiences of Premenstrual dysphoric symptoms, which may support the provision of individualized health care during stressful conditions. Purpose. We use simple thematic analysis to explore young college students' constructions about the subjective experiences of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Method. A qualitative, semi-structured interview study was conducted in the Karnataka state of India. After the initial screening process of 400 college students randomly selected, ten were included in personal interviews, and eight participated in focus group discussions. Results. Five global themes emerged from the thematic analysis. The identified themes are further labeled as cognitive, emotional, behavioral, physical, Social, and Cultural issues. These themes suggested that young women experiencing PMDD symptoms have limited knowledge about the individual variability of menstrual experiences. Only a few participants are aware of the differences between PMS and PMDD. Most of them are unwilling to take any antidepressant medication and hesitate to visit the health care unit because of the stigma, social differentiation, and fear of the side effect of drugs. Most young women reported that premenstrual phenomena negatively affect their daily life, mainly their academic performances and social relationships. And during COVID-19, symptoms increased, and many said suicidal thoughts and confused mental status. Conclusions. Young female college students are the most affected group due to premenstrual disorder. People in our society need to be educated about the negative impact of social and cultural stigma related to menstruationrelated issues. We hope authorities will develop appropriate strategies and intervention programs to treat premenstrual-related problems as early as possible.

Keywords

qualitative investigation, late adolescents, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and COVID-19

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Rosamma Alexander ¹, Clarissa F. Delariarte ², Clarissa F. Delariarte ³, Clarissa F. Delariarte ⁴

Affiliations
1 The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, IN
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, IN
3 De La Salle University, Taft, Manila, Philippines, IN
4 Far Eastern University Graduate School, Morayta, Manila, Philippines, IN

Abstract

Technology has been growing exponentially in the last few decades, emerging as the biggest driver in all walks of life. The millennials are synonymous with technology as a whole and information technology in particular. The World Wide Web (www) has pushed itself deeper and farther like an inevitable labyrinth, sparing none. So, the internet is no more a luxury but a necessity. One of the most predominant uses of the internet is social media which connects people seamlessly in a virtual network. Whether platforms or people, choices galore for them to spend time with. Research has found that there are both positive and negative impacts of social media on the lives of adolescents. However, more studies favor how the negative consequences influence them physically, socially, and psychologically when they spend more time on social media. The new normal of the pandemic, when study and work were constrained to rooms and virtual settings, has further aggravated this situation. The aim of this study is to explore the stages of Social Media Addiction among Adolescents in India. The present research paper draws insights into the lived experiences of adolescents regarding social media use through in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven adolescents and a focus group discussion of ten. The data were analyzed in the light of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and found four emerging themes such as the exploring stage, low-risk stage, moderate risk stage, and high-risk stage of social media addiction.

Keywords

adolescents, social media addiction, stages of addiction

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Rosamma Alexander ¹, Clarissa F. Delariarte ²

Affiliations
1 The Graduate School, University o f Santo Tomas, Manila, PH
2 De La Salle University, Taft, Manila, Philippines , Far Eastern University Graduate School, Morayta, Manila, PH

Abstract

The new millennium witnessed rapid growth in information technology with the advent of new tools and increased usage across the geographical and populations. Presently social media and internet usage have turned out to be inevitable tools for the efficient functioning of everyday life. This has tremendously increased on the one hand virtual connectivity with eased communication and the risks of addictive use of social media among adolescents on the other hand. This study sought to explore the motives which drive Indian adolescents to social media platforms and the adverse effects on their lives. The current study draws comprehensive awareness into adolescents’ lived experiences regarding social media use through in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven adolescents and a focus group discussion of ten. The data were analyzed in the light of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and found the emerging themes. In this paper, seven superordinate themes were found along with their subordinate themes. They are the causal factors of social media addiction and secondly the adverse effects of the use of social media on adolescents’ lives.

Keywords

adolescents, social media use, causal factors, adverse effects.

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Liji Joseph ¹, Clarissa F. Delariarte ², Clarissa F. Delariarte ³, Clarissa F. Delariarte ⁴

Affiliations
1 The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, Philippine ., IN
2 The Graduate School, University o f Santo Tomas, Espaha, Manila, Philippine., IN
3 The Graduate School, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippine ., IN
4 De La Salle University, Taft, Manila, Philippine ., IN

Abstract

In the present competitive world, raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not easy, and it demands lifelong commitment, dedication, and many challenging situations. There is ample proof that caring for a son or daughter with autism is a stressful, complex, and tiring experience for primary caregivers, especially mothers. Therefore, the study aims to explore the living experience of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder who are affected by symptoms of psychological distress in Kerala, South India. The participants’ lived experiences were thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s procedure. Based on their high score on the psychological distress scale, eight and six mothers of children with ASD were selected for in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. The qualitative study results explain the personal experiences of mothers caring for a child with ASD and the factors that contributed to their psychological distress. In the analysis, physical, psychological, family, social, spiritual, and existential issues were the major themes found in the inquiry. The study result can be used by mental health professionals, special educators, and policymakers to understand and deal with the unique needs of mothers who serve as primary caregivers for their children with ASD.

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder, children, mothers, psychological distress, qualitative

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Rosamma Alexander ¹, Clarissa F. Delariarte ², Clarissa F. Delariarte ³, Clarissa F. Delariarte ⁴

Affiliations
1 The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, IN
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, IN
3 De La Salle University, Taft, Manila, Philippines, IN
4 Far Eastern University Graduate School, Morayta, Manila, Philippines, IN

Abstract

Technology has grown fast and encompassed all realms of life faster than one could dream of a few decades back. One of the key by-products of the World Wide Web was the development of social media which created a virtual world, parallel to the real world. People met, interacted, and socialized in this virtual environment for the good. But with the emergence of many platforms, opportunities, options, and attractions, this particular technology gradually started dominating them and finally, people are now driven by this. With the Covid-19 pandemic shutting people inside rooms with just gadgets as their only companions and closing the physical world on them, social media has gradually become an addition, rather than a necessity which in fact should supplement our daily engagements in the real world. Adolescents were the biggest casualties of this vicious circle. Based on mixed methods this study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively explore the symptoms of social media addiction among adolescents in Kerala, a southern province of India. It seeks to analyze to what extent it impaired their lives amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The initial group of 432 students was given data sheets and 187 were shortlisted with high-level SMA through the SMAS-SF test. The final sample size consisted of 17 adolescents. As there is no sufficient research done in this area, particularly in this geography, and not enough literature available, the findings of this particular study call for more detailed and extensive research.

Keywords

Technology has grown fast and encompassed all realms of life faster than one could dream of a few decades back. One of the key by-products of the World Wide Web was the development of social media which created a virtual world, parallel to the real world. People met, interacted, and socialized in this virtual environment for the good. But with the emergence of many platforms, opportunities, options, and attractions, this particular technology gradually started dominating them and finally, people are now driven by this. With the Covid-19 pandemic shutting people inside rooms with just gadgets as their only companions and closing the physical world on them, social media has gradually become an addition, rather than a necessity which in fact should supplement our daily engagements in the real world. Adolescents were the biggest casualties of this

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