AN EXPLORATION OF POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH LEVELS AMONG PROFESSIONALS IN PAKISTAN: AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE

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Published: Sep 30, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35845/kmuj.2019.19409
Keywords:
Positive mental health levels Psychological distress Mental Health Moderate mental health Flourishing Languishing

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Nadia Batool
National Institute of Psychology, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Rubina Hanif
National Institute of Psychology, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence of mental health states (positive mental wellbeing levels) across professional groups working in diverse work settings in indigenous context.
METHODS: This Cross-sectional study was conducted at public tertiary care hospitals (Jinnah hospital Lahore, combined military hospital), telecommunication companies (Warid, Telenor), Multinational firms, consultancy firms, Askari, bank, Muslim Commercial Bank located at Islamabad and Lahore ,Pakistan from February 2016 to December 2016. Data was collected from professionals (N=509) through purposive sampling technique. The present research employed Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) for measuring positive mental wellbeing levels and psychological distress (complete mental health).
RESULTS: Descriptive statistics revealed satisfactory psychometrics of MHC-SF (α=0.86) and BSI (α=0.97) and its subscales Results of ANOVA showed significant mean difference across professional groups in social wellbeing F (4,616=4.20; p<.001), somatization F (4,566=4.58; p<0.01), η2= 0.03, interpersonal sensitivity F (4,599) =5.23; p<0.001 and paranoid ideation F (4,585=2.88; p<.02). Post-hoc analysis using Tukey followed by ANOVA further revealed mean differences between specific professional groups on social wellbeing dimension i.e., bankers and telecom officers (-1.89; p<0.03), doctors and telecom officers (-3.07; p<05).
CONCLUSION: Higher level of positive mental health buffers impact of negative stressors in personal and work domains. This also reflects a dire need to shift focus towards engaging mental health promotion strategies in order to develop flourishing, productive workforce, rather than solely focusing on assuaging mental illness and psychological distress.

Article Details

How to Cite
Batool, N., and R. Hanif. “AN EXPLORATION OF POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH LEVELS AMONG PROFESSIONALS IN PAKISTAN: AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE”. KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL, vol. 11, no. 3, Sept. 2019, pp. 145-51, doi:10.35845/kmuj.2019.19409.
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Vol. 11 No. 3 (2019): KMUJ 2019; VOL 11; ISSUE 3 - JUL - SEP
Section
Original Articles

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Author Biography

Rubina Hanif, National Institute of Psychology, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Associate Professor

National Institute of Psychology

Centre of excellence

Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad

Mailing address: National Institute of psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University

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