Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society

Medical Student and academia Health and wellness

Muhammad Iqbal Afridi — 2026-06-28

Informing Pakistan’s Negotiations Through the Psychology of Peacebuilding

Neil Krishan Aggarwal — 2026-06-27

The Government of Pakistan has played a constructive role in seeking to resolve the current conflict between Iran and the United States. Here, we describe the role of geopsychiatry in promoting research on peacebuilding to address the causes of violent conflicts as a form of primary prevention in mental health. We discuss an evidence-based framework from the Irish Peace Process led by psychiatrist-negotiators that could inform ongoing interventions for Pakistan’s negotiators. These interventions include leveraging the psychology of the mutually hurting stalemate, constructing superordinate identities, building a frame for negotiations, and using psychodynamic principles of communication. Numerous obstacles to peace remain, but Pakistan’s negotiators can adopt these evidence-bases strategies and inspire hope for resolving other global conflicts.

Dual Faces of Gaming: Exploring Mediating Role of Extroversion on Gaming Addiction and Mood

Marium Idrees — 2026-06-27

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between video game addiction, extrovert, and mood states among undergraduates in Pakistan, addressing the rising concern of gaming addiction and its psychological impacts. Study Design: A correlational survey design was employed to examine the associations between gaming addiction, extrovert, and mood. Place & Duration of Study: The study was conducted across various educational institutes in Pakistan, with data collected over a period of three months. Method: A sample of 203 undergraduates was recruited using purposive sampling. Validated scales, including the Game Addiction Inventory for Adults, Introversion-Extroversion Scale, and Brief Mood Introspection Scale, were administered to assess gaming addiction, personality traits, and mood, respectively. Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression, and mediation analyses were performed to analyze the data. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between extroversion and game addiction and between extroversion and mood states. Hierarchical regression revealed that extroversion significantly predicted arousal/calm mood (β=.27, p<.001), accounting for 10.5% of the variance, while game addiction contributed only 3% and was not a significant predictor. Mediation analysis indicated that extroversion partially mediated the relationship between game addiction and mood, suggesting that gaming influences emotional states indirectly by enhancing extroverted behaviors. Conclusion: The findings challenge the stereotype that introverts are more prone to gaming addiction, highlighting that extroverts may be more susceptible due to their attraction to socially stimulating gaming environments. The study underscores the need for culturally adapted interventions to address gaming addiction and its psychological impacts in Pakistan.

Frequency of anxiety and depression in Caregivers of Beta Thalassemia Major in Mekran

Chakar Tajwidi — 2026-06-27

Abstract

Objective

To determine the frequency of anxiety and depression among the caregivers of patients with beta thalassemia major in a tertiary hospital, and to identify the gender and demographic factors on their mental outcomes.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Kech Thalassemia Care Center (KTCC), affiliated with the tertiary teaching hospital, Turbat, from June 2024 to February 2025. A total of 88 caregivers of patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM) were enrolled. A non-probability sampling technique was used for data collection. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale was administered to assess the levels of anxiety and depression in caregivers. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to evaluate associations and predictors.

Results

Moderate-to-severe anxiety was observed in 50% of Caregivers of BTM patients, while 30.7% showed moderate depression. Female caregivers and those with no formal education had higher anxiety and depression than male caregivers. Low income (≤ 50,000 PKR) was a significant predictor of depression (aOR = 4.65, p = 0.019).

Conclusion:
Depression and Anxiety disorders are prevalent among primary caregivers of beta thalassemia major in Mekran region of Balochistan. Low household monthly income, illiteracy, widowed status, and female gender are associated with a higher frequency of anxiety and depression. Mental health interventions are required.

Keywords: Caregivers, Beta thalassemia major, Anxiety, Depression, Mekran

Reimagining Institutional Care: Children’s Emotional Well-being, Caregiver Readiness and Policy Pathways for Social Prescribing in Pakistan

Rumaisa Nawar — 2026-06-27

Research indicates that institutionalisation can undermine children’s well-being, highlighting the urgent need for innovative, community-based interventions to alleviate trauma and foster resilience. This study aims to evaluate the emotional and behavioral difficulties of institutionalized children, assess caregivers’ well-being, and explore the feasibility of implementing social prescribing as a community-based intervention within institutional care. Ultimately, the study seeks to generate evidence-based recommendations to strengthen institutional policies and caregiving practices.

This mixed-methods descriptive study involves 263 institutionalized children aged 11–17 and their caregivers in Punjab, Pakistan from four different institutions. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used for assessing children’s wellbeing, while Section 4 of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Caregiver tool was used to evaluate caregivers’ well-being, respectively. Focus group discussions were conducted with the caregivers to further understand their readiness for social prescription.

The study revealed significant emotional and behavioral difficulties among children with varying institutional factors which were analyzed through SWOT. Prosocial scores had a weak negative correlation (r = -0.1525, p = 0.016) to the total difficulties score of children and age as a significant predicting factor (coefficient = 1.89, p < 0.01) to overall difficulties. About 51.52 % of caregivers reported having recent illnesses.

The study highlights a strong demand for social prescribing with caregivers favouring community referrals, recreational activities, and educational programs. It calls for actionable insights for policy and practice reformation within institutional care.

THE ANTENATAL DEPRESSION IN LATE PREGNANCY

Ayesha Nadeem — 2026-06-27

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of depression during the late antenatal period among women attending a tertiary care hospital for antenatal care.

STUDY DESIGN

This investigation employed a descriptive cross-sectional methodology.

PLACE AND DURATION OF THE STUDY

This research was executed at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Dow University Hospital from February 17, 2025, to August 25, 2025.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 382 pregnant women aged 15–40 years in their third trimester were included, excluding those with psychiatric, neurological, or medical comorbidities. Depression was assessed using ICD-11 criteria and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Participants were selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. Data was analysed in SPSS version 26.0 using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

The study included 382 pregnant women in their third trimester with a mean age of 27.38 ± 7.58 years. Antenatal depression, assessed by EPDS, was present in a considerable proportion of participants. No statistically significant associations were found between depression and age (p=0.837), parity (p=0.327), marital status (p=0.665), education (p = 0.947), employment (p = 0.224), or socioeconomic status (p=0.960).

CONCLUSION

This investigation underscores that antenatal depression constitutes a considerable issue throughout the third trimester, regardless of socio-demographic attributes. The results accentuate the necessity of integrating systematic mental health assessments into antenatal care utilizing validated instruments such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Prompt identification and suitable interventions can contribute to the protection of maternal health and foster more favourable pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

Workplace harassment and its association with depression among postgraduate trainees at tertiary care hospital.

Roshan Ara — 2026-06-27

Objective: To determine the prevalence of workplace harassment and to assess its association with depression among postgraduate trainees in a tertiary care hospital.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Eighty postgraduate trainees aged 25–45 years, enrolled in FCPS and MCPS programs, were selected through convenient sampling. Workplace harassment was assessed using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R), with a score ≥23 indicating presence of harassment. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and categorized into none, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the association between workplace harassment and depression was assessed using the chi-square test. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of participants was 29.1 ± 3.2 years, and 52.5% were female. Workplace harassment was reported by 56 (70%) trainees. Depressive symptoms were present in 34 (42.5%) participants. Depression was significantly more prevalent among trainees exposed to harassment compared with those not exposed (53.6% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Workplace harassment is highly prevalent among postgraduate trainees and is significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Institutional strategies focusing on prevention, early identification, and psychological support are essential to ensure a safe training environment.

Keywords:
Workplace harassment; Postgraduate medical trainees; Depression; Healthcare workplace; Occupational stress; Mental health

In Memoriam: Prof Muhammad Sultan

Wajid Akhunzada — 2026-06-27

. كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآىٕقَةُ الْمَوْت.

ہر جان موت کا مزہ چکھنے والی ہے

(القران)

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Prof Sayed Muhammad Sultan. we lost another great person, a gentleman, a kind soul, a friend, a colleague, a healer, a teacher and caring psychiatrist.

AI and Human Flourishing

JPPS — 2026-06-28