Department of Psychology

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    Social Interaction of DrugAddicts: An Exploratory Study
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2023) WASEEMABBAS; FA19-BPY-040; Dr. Shazia Gulzar; LHR TP 8390
    This study provides a concise overview of an exploratory study that examines the social interactions of individuals struggling with drug addiction. Drug addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue that not only affects an individual's physical and mental health but also has significant social implications. This study aims to shed light on the social dynamics, patterns, and challenges faced by drug addicts in their interactions with others. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in depth interviews and observations to gather data from a diverse sample of drug addicts. The study explores various aspects of social interaction, including the influence of drug addiction on relationships with family, friends, and society at large. It investigates the barriers to forming and maintaining healthy social connections, as well as the impact of stigma and discrimination on social interaction. Furthermore, the study examines the role of peer groups and support networks in the lives of drug addicts, investigating how these social networks can either exacerbate or mitigate the addiction cycle. Findings from this study will contribute to a better understanding of the social complexities surrounding drug addiction and inform the development of targeted interventions to enhance social support systems. By shedding light on the challenges faced by drug addicts in their social interactions, this research aims to foster empathy, reduce stigma, and ultimately improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with addiction and their communities.
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    Development and Validation of Cyber Safety Behaviors Scale
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Aqsa Chand; CIIT/SP23-REC-003/LHR; Dr. Shameem Fatim; LHR TP 9548
    The current study was conducted to develop and validate “Cyber Safet Behaviors Scale. The present study further explored a Positive relationship between cyber safety behaviors and emotional regulation and a negative relationship between cyber safety behaviors and emotional regulation with cyberbullying victimization. Using mixed method research design, the present study recruited a sample (N= 270) including n= 120 males, and n= 150 females with different educational levels i.e., intermediate to post-graduation (M=21.8, SD= 1.83) in Phase 2 total sample size was (N=327) Adults from Lahore, Pakistan. Assessment measures i.e., the Cyber Safety Behaviors Scale, Security Intention Behaviors Scale (Eagleman & Peer, 2015), Cyberbullying Victimization (Lee, 2017) were used. Results showed that Exploratory Factor Analysis yields a Cyber Safety Behaviors Scale with 24 items with five components that indicated 53.78% of the total variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirms the scale validity through model fit indices CMIN/DF= 1.30, GFI = .95, AGFI=.93, TLI= .93, CFA= .94, and RMSEA= .03. and scale structure was established with 19 items comprised of 5 factors. Reliability analysis showed CSBS has Cronbach alpha value α=.73. with final 19 items. The measurement model was perfectly matched with observed data. Convergent and Divergent validity results were also significant (**p<0.01). Hence its established through results scale Cyber Safety Behaviors Scale is valid and reliable tool to measure the proposed phenomena. The CSBS is a brief, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate measure for young adults to measure cyber safety behaviors related to safety in cyberspace. CSBS is a psychometrically valid & reliable assessment measure that has provided pieces of evidence for the construct validity and reliability.
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    Childhood Trauma, Alexithymia and Emotional Dysregulation in Adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Khadija Tul Zahra; CIIT/SP23-RCP-009/LHR; Dr. Mahira Ahmed; LHR TP 9541
    This current study was conducted with the aim of examining the relationship among childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation and alexithymia in adults with obsessive compulsive disorder. Using correlational research design, the participants with the age range of 20-44 years were selected through purposive sampling strategy for the participants diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder from different hospital in Lahore. This study revealed that almost 51.1% males and 48.9% females has participated. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Bagby, 1994), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-short form (Bernstein & Fink, 1998) and Emotional Regulation Inventory (Roth et al., 2009) were utilized. Moreover, results revealed that childhood trauma was associated with emotional dysregulation. Furthermore, regression analysis reported that childhood trauma is significant predictor of alexithymia and emotional dysregulation and explains the variance in alexithymia and emotional dysregulation. In addition, mediation analysis showed that the significant indirect pathway of the study variables which further revealed that there is variation from alexithymia among childhood trauma and emotional dysregulation. Thus, findings revealed that there is significant correlation between childhood trauma and emotional dysregulation among adults with obsessive compulsive disorder. Alexithymia significantly mediates the association between childhood trauma and alexithymia. Moreover, this research would be beneficial to fill out the research gap in Pakistani literature as there is scarcity in studying the mediating pathway of alexithymia among obsessive compulsive disorder adults in Pakistan. People might take guidance that child’s environment must be hindrance free so that they could protect themselves from developing pathologies in later life.
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    Creativity, Cognitive Functioning and Attribution Style of Children with Dyslexia Symptoms
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Warda Ashraf; SP23-RCP-034; Dr. Farzana Ashraf
    Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that hinders the brain’s ability to recognize, spell, and decode words accurately and fluently despite having adequate intellectual ability. This quantitative study explored the association between dyslexia, cognitive functioning, attribution style, and creativity in children with dyslexia symptoms. In addition, the moderating role of dyslexia and the mediating effect of attribution style were also investigated, as well as the relationship between cognitive functioning and creativity and its subscales. There were five subscales of creativity: fluency, originality, elaboration, abstraction, and resistance to premature closure. The correlational research design was employed. The sample was initially comprised of two hundred participants with dyslexia symptoms, aged 6 – 15 years (N = 200, age range = 6 – 15 years), studying at two government schools of Lahore and one government school of Kot Radha Kishan, recruited through purposive sampling. However, after analyzing data using SPSS-26, the sample size was reduced to 188 (N = 188). The findings suggested a significant association between dyslexia, cognitive functioning, attribution style, and creativity. The findings also indicated that dyslexia significantly moderates the association between cognitive functioning and creativity. Similarly, it is a significant moderator in the relationship between cognitive functioning and two of subscales of creativity i.e., fluency, and elaboration subscales. This research referred to the attribution style as the intentional one. The results revealed that intentional attribution style partially mediates the association between cognitive functioning and creativity. It also partially mediated the relationship between cognitive functioning and two of the subscales of creativity, i.e., fluency and originality. There were two subscales of intentional attribution style, i.e., ambiguous and non-intentional attribution style. Only ambiguous attribution style was found to significantly mediate the association between cognitive functioning and creativity. In addition, it also partially mediated the path between xix cognitive functioning and one of the subscales of creativity, i.e., fluency. Moreover, the sample was divided into two groups based on age, i.e., children and adolescents. The study involved 67 children aged 6-10 and 121 adolescents aged 11-15. The results revealed that dyslexia significantly moderate the association between cognitive functioning and creativity and one of its subscales, i.e., fluency in adolescents only. No mediating impact of intentional attribution style and its subscales was observed on the relationship between cognitive functioning and creativity and its subscales in children and adolescent subgroups. The study emphasized the importance of considering individual differences in children with varying degrees and intensity of dyslexia symptoms while implementing educational and therapeutic interventions to improve their cognitive abilities and creative potential.
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    Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Self-Esteem of Children’s with Thalassemia
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Saba Bukhari; CIIT/SP23-RCP-020/LHR; Dr. Mahira Ahmad; LHR TP 9543
    The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of art therapy on self-esteem in children with thalassemia. It was hypothesized that there was likely a effectiveness of art therapy on self-esteem of children’s with thalassemia. Using Pre and post quasi experimental research design and purposive sampling, the sample was consisted of 20 children age ranged 6-10 years which were recruited through purposive sampling that are diagnosed with beta thalassemia. Self Esteem Scale for School Children’s (Sadia and Mahmood, 2011) was used for pre and post assessment. Descriptive statistics was conducted on demographical variables and paired samples t-test was used to analysed pre and post difference. The findings from this current study highlight the effectiveness of art therapy on children’s self-esteem with thalassemia. Future research should explore long-term effects and the integration of art therapy into standard care practices for pediatric patients with chronic illnesses. Mental health professionals, clinician, policymakers, educationist and care givers can also use art therapy to deal with psychological issues in children with thalassemia
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    Early Maladaptive Schemas, Alexithymia, Emotional Regulation, and Death Anxiety Adults with Phobias
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Rabia Rehman; SP23-RCP-018/LHR; Dr. Farzana Ashraf
    This study aimed to investigate the relationships between early maladaptive schemas, alexithymia, emotional regulation, and death anxiety in adults with phobias. It further examined the mediating role of alexithymia and emotional regulation in the association between maladaptive schema modes and death anxiety. Using a correlational research design, a purposive sample of 250 individuals with specific phobias, aged 18 to 40, was recruited from psychological clinics and mental health centers across Punjab, Pakistan. Participants were assessed using the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS 20), Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Death Anxiety Scale (DAS). Results from SPSS-26 indicated significant correlations among the variables, highlighting that maladaptive schema modes, such as Vulnerable Child and Punitive Parent, strongly predict increased death anxiety. Alexithymia mediated the relationship between maladaptive schema modes and death anxiety, while dysfunctional emotional regulation strategies, such as suppression, amplified the effects. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying death anxiety in individuals with phobias. They emphasize the need for therapeutic interventions targeting schema modes, improving emotional awareness, and fostering adaptive regulation strategies to alleviate death anxiety. This research contributes valuable insights into culturally sensitive approaches for addressing phobia-related anxiety in Pakistan.
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    The Impact of Personality Traits on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effectiveness in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: A Pre-Experimental Study
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Zainab Amjad; CIIT/SP23-RCP-035/LHR; Dr. Muneeba Shakil
    Major depression disorder is a prevalent condition that is affecting the mental health of millions of people globally. It varies from ordinary mood fluctuation to chronic condition. Depression can significantly impair the overall functioning and quality of life. In depression, there is an imbalance of the neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. To treat major depressive disorder, there are therapeutic approaches. One of the most popular therapeutic techniques is CBT. It is clinically proven to be one of the best therapeutic techniques in treating depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is efficient in the treatment of depression and alleviating the symptoms of it. It helps in fostering long-term recovery. CBT effectiveness and outcomes vary based on factors like personality traits and individual differences. Everyone is different and has distinct personality traits that make him unique, so CBT outcomes vary (Beck et al., 1979).
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    Internalized Stigma, Social Connectedness, and Coping Strategies in Caregivers of Adults with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Shazia Zafar; CIIT/SP23-RCP-025/LHR; Dr. Mahira Ahmad
    The current study aimed to investigate internalized stigma, social connectedness, and coping strategies in caregivers of adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). The study hypothesized that there is likely a significant correlation between internalized self stigma and coping strategies, and social connectedness likely moderates the relationship between them. A sample of 250 caregivers of adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder both men and women, age ranged 20 to 60 years from both public and private sector hospitals of Lahore were selected through purposive sampling. The measures used to collect the data were Self-Stigma in Relatives of people with Mental Illness scale (Morris et al., 2017), the Social Connectedness Scale (Lee & Robins, 1995), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE: Carver, 1997). Data was analyzed using SPSS .25, reliability analyses revealed all scales having good reliability. The correlation results showed a significant relationship between internalized self-stigma, social connectedness, and coping strategies (avoidant and approach). Moderation analyses were done, which revealed the moderating role of social connectedness between Internalized self-stigma and coping strategies (avoidant and approach). This study underscores the development and application of approaches to address the caregiver’s needs. Moreover, it will be helpful to rule out available ways to help and support caregivers and to minimize the unfavorable effects of caregiving.
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    Cultural Formulation and Gender Disparities in Major Depressive Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Saba Hakim khan; SP23-RCP-021; Dr. Muneeba Shakil
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of cultural formulation on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with respect to gender disparities in Pakistani patients. The study aimed to translate and adapt the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) - Patient Version from English to Urdu, ensuring its cultural and linguistic validity and reliability. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase one involved cross-cultural translation of the CFI, following a forward-backward method by bilingual experts. Content validity was assessed by seven independent clinical psychologists, and the final version was pilot-tested on two MDD patients. In Phase Two, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to explore gender differences in depression among 12 purposively selected participants (6 men and 6 women) aged 18-60, diagnosed with mild to moderate MDD. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify cultural influences on gender disparities in MDD. The findings revealed that cultural and societal factors significantly shaped the mental health experiences of men and women differently. Male participants primarily faced pressure due to societal expectations and financial responsibilities, while female participants were more affected by emotional stress related to family expectations and gender roles. Females experienced MDD symptoms due to external factors, such as relationship challenges, whereas males' symptoms were linked to internal conflicts influenced by cultural norms. This study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and gender-specific factors in the assessment and treatment of MDD, to better understand the unique mental health challenges faced by men and women in Pakistan.
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    The Impact of Applied Behavior Analysis on Basic Learning and Academic Skills in Children with Autism: An Intervention Study
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Ubaid Ullah Saif; SP23-RCP-031/LHR; Dr. Shameem Fatima; LHR TP 9520
    Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopment disorder that is mental and emotional mental health condition that affects the person’s ability to interact with others socially. Children with such condition exhibit interest in restricted repetitive behaviors. The study aimed to estimate and investigate the significant impact of intervention based on applied behavior analysis to improve learning and academic skills of Pakistani children with autism spectrum disorder. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 70 participants between the ages 6 to 12 years and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Pre- and Post-assessment were made on Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills. The results obtained in post assessment showed improvement in basic learning and academic skills as compared to pre intervention level. It was found that the sample showed improvement in basic learning and academic skills at post intervention level. The study strongly supported the conclusion respecting the effectiveness of applied behavior analysis interventions concerning the academic and learning competencies of children with autism spectrum disorder. This research addresses a significant gap in the existing literature by focusing specifically on the basic learning and academic skills of Pakistani children with autism spectrum disorder