Dr.Devaki Nandan Sharma - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Dr.Devaki Nandan Sharma
Journal of Research & Health, Dec 31, 2023
Background: Although many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reported for adults,... more Background: Although many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reported for adults, little is known about its impacts on children, especially in terms of the relative roles of joint and nuclear families. Using a qualitative design, we explored the protective roles of joint and nuclear families in shaping the children's life outcomes during COVID-19. Methods: In a qualitative study, 16 full-time mothers of children aged 9-12 years (8 each from joint and nuclear families) from Sagar City, India were interviewed during June and July 2020. Interview contents were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: Five major themes were identified, negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, differences in positive engagements, emotional protective benefits, promotion of positive health habits, and routine activity management strategies. The results showed that the joint families availed and utilized more resources to positively engage their children in creativity, studies, exercise, and entertainment during the restrictions of the lockdown compared to the nuclear families. Contrary to the nuclear families, the joint families emphasized resolving emotional grievances, promoting positive emotional engagement, and extending more emotional support to their children. The joint and nuclear families also differed in their children's food habits, health grievances, and physical exercise. Also, the joint families played more positive roles in managing children's play behaviors, sleep habits, television watching, and other children's activities compared to the nuclear families. Conclusion: The distinctive availability of experiential, emotional, relational, and positive value resources and knowledge repertoires of the two family systems may have extended differential protective benefits to their children during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2021
International Journal of Indian Psychology, 2017
The study aimed to examine the impacts of spiritual beliefs of diagnosed cancer patients and norm... more The study aimed to examine the impacts of spiritual beliefs of diagnosed cancer patients and normal healthy participants on their perceived health. The present research employed a correlational research design to collect and analyze data. The purposive sampling method was used to select the participants in the study. Sixty diagnosed male (M = 52.32, SD = 10.52) and female (M = 51.68, SD = 6.90) cancer patients and 60 normal healthy male (M = 44.00, SD = 10.45) and female (M = 47.15, SD = 11.32) participants constituted the samples for the study. The findings of the study evinced that spiritual beliefs had important role in shaping the nature and extent of the perceived health of the cancer patients and normal healthy participants. The gender has also been observed to play pivotal role in impacting the perceived health of the participants. It was also observed that spiritual beliefs had shown positive correlations with the scores of perceived health of the male, female and all the ca...
The COVID-19 is exerting deleterious impacts on children. We intend to understand the protective ... more The COVID-19 is exerting deleterious impacts on children. We intend to understand the protective roles of Indian joint families for the perceived life outcomes of children (9-12 years) during the early phase of the current pandemic. The qualitative study revealed six themes: perceived distress, the multiplicity of relationships, harmonious relationships, involvement in household activities, facilitating role of the elders, and collective values and practices. The uncertainty and fear enhanced the perceived distress of the family members and concerns for children. The abundant supportive relational resources, involvement in household activities, warmth, optimism and cooperation of the elderly and interdependence and religious practices were the resources described to protect the children from the pandemic’s ill-effects. Indian joint families adhere to collectivistic values which may have facilitated more support, cooperation, care, interdependence, discipline, cultural knowledge, and...
Psychology, Community & Health
Aim This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life... more Aim This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life outcomes of cancer survivors. Method A heterogeneous sample of thirty diagnosed cancer patients with age ranging from 18 to 75 years participated in the study. The study employed a qualitative research design which involved semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis of the audiotaped contents of these interviews. Results The analyses led to five themes regarding the spiritual beliefs of the participants. The identified themes were: “optimistic change towards life”, “fighting spirit towards life”, “enhanced trust in family and friends”, “improved realistic self-perception”, and “positive thinking with future orientations”. Conclusions The findings of the study showed that spiritual beliefs represented a complex phenomenon comprising cognitive, affective and behavioural components. Spiritual beliefs also carried many positive outcomes to regain and maintain psychological balance...
Authorea, 2020
Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms be... more Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interviews were analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five themes were generated: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness and differences in the sources of happiness. The extraverts were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness by the introverts. The introverts valued internal and achieved sources whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. Thus, both introverts and extraverts reported perceived happiness that suggested dissimilar sources and mechanisms. Further studies may help a better understanding of the positive life outcomes of...
Objective: The study explored the impacts of restrictions on the perceived psychological distress... more Objective: The study explored the impacts of restrictions on the perceived psychological distress and health outcomes in children by their mothers who acted as their full-time caregivers during the...
Modeling Earth Systems and Environment
The study explored the lockdown and quarantine on the perceived psychological distress and other ... more The study explored the lockdown and quarantine on the perceived psychological distress and other life outcomes of children after the outbreak of COVID-19 in recent past. The study employed the Narrative Thematic Research Design and chose a heterogeneous sample of 20 full-time mothers to report the experiences of the restrictions of their children aged 9-11 years. These mothers were the primary source of data about the impacts of lockdown and quarantine on their children. A telephonic semi-structured interview protocol was used to collect data. Four themes were generated: poor social and emotional responsivity, decreased interest in studies and other creative activities, psychological distress symptoms and negative health outcomes. Anxiety, irritation, quarrelling behaviours, anger, frustration, low feeling, reduced interest in games, boredom etc. were observed in children. Sleep disturbances, complaints of indigestion and multiple complaints of body aches were major negative health outcomes. The findings showed a variety of negative psychological and health outcomes for children due to the extreme restrictions, uncertainty, apprehension, reduced positive engagement and lowered social connection after the outbreak of the pandemic. Preventive and protective measures are recommended with concerted efforts of parents, school and community to guard children against the ill-consequences of current and future pandemics.
Authorea, 2020
Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms be... more Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interviews were analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five themes were generated: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness and differences in the sources of happiness. The extraverts were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness by the introverts. The introverts valued internal and achieved sources whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. Thus, both introverts and extraverts reported perceived happiness that suggested dissimilar sources and mechanisms. Further studies may help a better understanding of the positive life outcomes of...
Authorea, 2020
Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms be... more Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interviews were analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five themes were generated: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness and differences in the sources of happiness. The extraverts were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness by the introverts. The introverts valued internal and achieved sources whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. Thus, both introverts and extraverts reported perceived happiness that suggested dissimilar sources and mechanisms. Further studies may help a better understanding of the positive life outcomes of personality using qualitative methods and live experiences. Psychological interventions may be developed keeping these findings in mind.
The study examined the nature and extent of association between spiritual beliefs and quality of... more The study examined the nature and extent of association between spiritual
beliefs and quality of life of the diagnosed cancer patients and normal healthy
participants. The study employed a correlational research design to collect and analyze
data. The purposive sampling method was applied to choose the participants in the study.
Thirty five diagnosed male and 25 female cancer patients and 40 normal healthy male
and 20 female participants constituted the samples for the study. The findings of the study
showed that the mean score of spiritual beliefs of the male cancer patients was
significantly higher as compared to their female counterparts. Likewise, the mean scores
of spiritual beliefs and quality of life of the male normal healthy participants was
significantly higher as compared to their female counterparts. The mean score of
spiritual beliefs of clinical participants was significantly higher as compared to the
normal healthy participants whereas the mean score of quality of life of the normal
healthy participants was higher as compared to the clinical participants. There were
significant positive correlations among the scores of spiritual beliefs and quality of life of
the male and female participants with diagnosed cancer and healthy participants. Thus,
health status, spiritual beliefs and gender of the participants were observed to play crucial
role in shaping the quality of life of the participants. In essence, the findings substantiated
the vital role of spiritual beliefs in determining the quality of life of the participants
suffering from chronic disease like cancer. The findings have significant implications to
unearth the relationship between spiritual beliefs and quality of life of the patients
suffering from chronic disease. These findings have significant implications for health
professionals, psychologists and laymen. The future directions for future research have
been stated at the end.
Psychology, Community & Health, Apr 3, 2020
Aim: This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various lif... more Aim: This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life outcomes of cancer survivors. Method: A heterogeneous sample of thirty diagnosed cancer patients with age ranging from 18 to 75 years participated in the study. The study employed a qualitative research design which involved semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis of the audiotaped contents of these interviews. Results: The analyses led to five themes regarding the spiritual beliefs of the participants. The identified themes were: "optimistic change towards life", "fighting spirit towards life", "enhanced trust in family and friends", "improved realistic self-perception", and "positive thinking with future orientations". Conclusions: The findings of the study showed that spiritual beliefs represented a complex phenomenon comprising cognitive, affective and behavioural components. Spiritual beliefs also carried many positive outcomes to regain and maintain psychological balance, well-being, quality of life and health. It also facilitated the patients to have strong desires to compensate their losses due to ill health by setting and achieving higher spiritual, social and interpersonal goals by carrying out social services, sacrifice and altruistic deeds.
Resumo
Objetivo: Este estudo explora a natureza das crenças espirituais e o seu papel na regulação de vários resultados de vida de sobreviventes de cancro. Método: A amostra do estudo foi composta por trinta pacientes diagnosticados com cancro, com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 75 anos. Este estudo de natureza qualitativa utilizou entrevistas semiestruturadas analisadas através de análise temática. Resultados: Através da análise temática obtiveram-se cinco temas relativamente às crenças espirituais dos participantes. Os temas foram "mudanças otimísticas em relação à vida", "espírito lutador em relação à vida", "aumento de confiança nos familiares e amigos", "melhoria de autoperceção realística", e "pensamento positivo com orientações futuras". Conclusões: Os resultados indicam que as crenças espirituais dos participantes representam um fenómeno complexo que compreende componentes cognitivos, afetivos e comportamentais. As crenças espirituais contribuiram para resultados positivos na recuperação e manutenção do equilíbrio psicológico, bem-estar, qualidade de vida e saúde. Observou-se que os participantes exibiram fortes desejos de compensar as suas perdas, resultantes da falta de saúde, definindo e procurando atingir objetivos espirituais, sociais e interpessoais mais elevados, ao desempenharem ações sociais, de sacrifício e altruísticas. Palavras-Chave: crença spiritual, análise temática, consequências de saúde, cancro, sobreviventes de cancro
Journal of Research & Health, Dec 31, 2023
Background: Although many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reported for adults,... more Background: Although many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are reported for adults, little is known about its impacts on children, especially in terms of the relative roles of joint and nuclear families. Using a qualitative design, we explored the protective roles of joint and nuclear families in shaping the children's life outcomes during COVID-19. Methods: In a qualitative study, 16 full-time mothers of children aged 9-12 years (8 each from joint and nuclear families) from Sagar City, India were interviewed during June and July 2020. Interview contents were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: Five major themes were identified, negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, differences in positive engagements, emotional protective benefits, promotion of positive health habits, and routine activity management strategies. The results showed that the joint families availed and utilized more resources to positively engage their children in creativity, studies, exercise, and entertainment during the restrictions of the lockdown compared to the nuclear families. Contrary to the nuclear families, the joint families emphasized resolving emotional grievances, promoting positive emotional engagement, and extending more emotional support to their children. The joint and nuclear families also differed in their children's food habits, health grievances, and physical exercise. Also, the joint families played more positive roles in managing children's play behaviors, sleep habits, television watching, and other children's activities compared to the nuclear families. Conclusion: The distinctive availability of experiential, emotional, relational, and positive value resources and knowledge repertoires of the two family systems may have extended differential protective benefits to their children during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2021
International Journal of Indian Psychology, 2017
The study aimed to examine the impacts of spiritual beliefs of diagnosed cancer patients and norm... more The study aimed to examine the impacts of spiritual beliefs of diagnosed cancer patients and normal healthy participants on their perceived health. The present research employed a correlational research design to collect and analyze data. The purposive sampling method was used to select the participants in the study. Sixty diagnosed male (M = 52.32, SD = 10.52) and female (M = 51.68, SD = 6.90) cancer patients and 60 normal healthy male (M = 44.00, SD = 10.45) and female (M = 47.15, SD = 11.32) participants constituted the samples for the study. The findings of the study evinced that spiritual beliefs had important role in shaping the nature and extent of the perceived health of the cancer patients and normal healthy participants. The gender has also been observed to play pivotal role in impacting the perceived health of the participants. It was also observed that spiritual beliefs had shown positive correlations with the scores of perceived health of the male, female and all the ca...
The COVID-19 is exerting deleterious impacts on children. We intend to understand the protective ... more The COVID-19 is exerting deleterious impacts on children. We intend to understand the protective roles of Indian joint families for the perceived life outcomes of children (9-12 years) during the early phase of the current pandemic. The qualitative study revealed six themes: perceived distress, the multiplicity of relationships, harmonious relationships, involvement in household activities, facilitating role of the elders, and collective values and practices. The uncertainty and fear enhanced the perceived distress of the family members and concerns for children. The abundant supportive relational resources, involvement in household activities, warmth, optimism and cooperation of the elderly and interdependence and religious practices were the resources described to protect the children from the pandemic’s ill-effects. Indian joint families adhere to collectivistic values which may have facilitated more support, cooperation, care, interdependence, discipline, cultural knowledge, and...
Psychology, Community & Health
Aim This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life... more Aim This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life outcomes of cancer survivors. Method A heterogeneous sample of thirty diagnosed cancer patients with age ranging from 18 to 75 years participated in the study. The study employed a qualitative research design which involved semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis of the audiotaped contents of these interviews. Results The analyses led to five themes regarding the spiritual beliefs of the participants. The identified themes were: “optimistic change towards life”, “fighting spirit towards life”, “enhanced trust in family and friends”, “improved realistic self-perception”, and “positive thinking with future orientations”. Conclusions The findings of the study showed that spiritual beliefs represented a complex phenomenon comprising cognitive, affective and behavioural components. Spiritual beliefs also carried many positive outcomes to regain and maintain psychological balance...
Authorea, 2020
Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms be... more Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interviews were analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five themes were generated: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness and differences in the sources of happiness. The extraverts were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness by the introverts. The introverts valued internal and achieved sources whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. Thus, both introverts and extraverts reported perceived happiness that suggested dissimilar sources and mechanisms. Further studies may help a better understanding of the positive life outcomes of...
Objective: The study explored the impacts of restrictions on the perceived psychological distress... more Objective: The study explored the impacts of restrictions on the perceived psychological distress and health outcomes in children by their mothers who acted as their full-time caregivers during the...
Modeling Earth Systems and Environment
The study explored the lockdown and quarantine on the perceived psychological distress and other ... more The study explored the lockdown and quarantine on the perceived psychological distress and other life outcomes of children after the outbreak of COVID-19 in recent past. The study employed the Narrative Thematic Research Design and chose a heterogeneous sample of 20 full-time mothers to report the experiences of the restrictions of their children aged 9-11 years. These mothers were the primary source of data about the impacts of lockdown and quarantine on their children. A telephonic semi-structured interview protocol was used to collect data. Four themes were generated: poor social and emotional responsivity, decreased interest in studies and other creative activities, psychological distress symptoms and negative health outcomes. Anxiety, irritation, quarrelling behaviours, anger, frustration, low feeling, reduced interest in games, boredom etc. were observed in children. Sleep disturbances, complaints of indigestion and multiple complaints of body aches were major negative health outcomes. The findings showed a variety of negative psychological and health outcomes for children due to the extreme restrictions, uncertainty, apprehension, reduced positive engagement and lowered social connection after the outbreak of the pandemic. Preventive and protective measures are recommended with concerted efforts of parents, school and community to guard children against the ill-consequences of current and future pandemics.
Authorea, 2020
Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms be... more Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interviews were analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five themes were generated: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness and differences in the sources of happiness. The extraverts were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness by the introverts. The introverts valued internal and achieved sources whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. Thus, both introverts and extraverts reported perceived happiness that suggested dissimilar sources and mechanisms. Further studies may help a better understanding of the positive life outcomes of...
Authorea, 2020
Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms be... more Extraverts have been reported to be happier than introverts. The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interviews were analyzed through the thematic analysis. Five themes were generated: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness and differences in the sources of happiness. The extraverts were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness by the introverts. The introverts valued internal and achieved sources whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. Thus, both introverts and extraverts reported perceived happiness that suggested dissimilar sources and mechanisms. Further studies may help a better understanding of the positive life outcomes of personality using qualitative methods and live experiences. Psychological interventions may be developed keeping these findings in mind.
The study examined the nature and extent of association between spiritual beliefs and quality of... more The study examined the nature and extent of association between spiritual
beliefs and quality of life of the diagnosed cancer patients and normal healthy
participants. The study employed a correlational research design to collect and analyze
data. The purposive sampling method was applied to choose the participants in the study.
Thirty five diagnosed male and 25 female cancer patients and 40 normal healthy male
and 20 female participants constituted the samples for the study. The findings of the study
showed that the mean score of spiritual beliefs of the male cancer patients was
significantly higher as compared to their female counterparts. Likewise, the mean scores
of spiritual beliefs and quality of life of the male normal healthy participants was
significantly higher as compared to their female counterparts. The mean score of
spiritual beliefs of clinical participants was significantly higher as compared to the
normal healthy participants whereas the mean score of quality of life of the normal
healthy participants was higher as compared to the clinical participants. There were
significant positive correlations among the scores of spiritual beliefs and quality of life of
the male and female participants with diagnosed cancer and healthy participants. Thus,
health status, spiritual beliefs and gender of the participants were observed to play crucial
role in shaping the quality of life of the participants. In essence, the findings substantiated
the vital role of spiritual beliefs in determining the quality of life of the participants
suffering from chronic disease like cancer. The findings have significant implications to
unearth the relationship between spiritual beliefs and quality of life of the patients
suffering from chronic disease. These findings have significant implications for health
professionals, psychologists and laymen. The future directions for future research have
been stated at the end.
Psychology, Community & Health, Apr 3, 2020
Aim: This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various lif... more Aim: This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life outcomes of cancer survivors. Method: A heterogeneous sample of thirty diagnosed cancer patients with age ranging from 18 to 75 years participated in the study. The study employed a qualitative research design which involved semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis of the audiotaped contents of these interviews. Results: The analyses led to five themes regarding the spiritual beliefs of the participants. The identified themes were: "optimistic change towards life", "fighting spirit towards life", "enhanced trust in family and friends", "improved realistic self-perception", and "positive thinking with future orientations". Conclusions: The findings of the study showed that spiritual beliefs represented a complex phenomenon comprising cognitive, affective and behavioural components. Spiritual beliefs also carried many positive outcomes to regain and maintain psychological balance, well-being, quality of life and health. It also facilitated the patients to have strong desires to compensate their losses due to ill health by setting and achieving higher spiritual, social and interpersonal goals by carrying out social services, sacrifice and altruistic deeds.
Resumo
Objetivo: Este estudo explora a natureza das crenças espirituais e o seu papel na regulação de vários resultados de vida de sobreviventes de cancro. Método: A amostra do estudo foi composta por trinta pacientes diagnosticados com cancro, com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 75 anos. Este estudo de natureza qualitativa utilizou entrevistas semiestruturadas analisadas através de análise temática. Resultados: Através da análise temática obtiveram-se cinco temas relativamente às crenças espirituais dos participantes. Os temas foram "mudanças otimísticas em relação à vida", "espírito lutador em relação à vida", "aumento de confiança nos familiares e amigos", "melhoria de autoperceção realística", e "pensamento positivo com orientações futuras". Conclusões: Os resultados indicam que as crenças espirituais dos participantes representam um fenómeno complexo que compreende componentes cognitivos, afetivos e comportamentais. As crenças espirituais contribuiram para resultados positivos na recuperação e manutenção do equilíbrio psicológico, bem-estar, qualidade de vida e saúde. Observou-se que os participantes exibiram fortes desejos de compensar as suas perdas, resultantes da falta de saúde, definindo e procurando atingir objetivos espirituais, sociais e interpessoais mais elevados, ao desempenharem ações sociais, de sacrifício e altruísticas. Palavras-Chave: crença spiritual, análise temática, consequências de saúde, cancro, sobreviventes de cancro