People of Punjab are extremely optimistic about a fresh start despite the outbreak caused by the coronavirus lockdown, finds a study. In a recent survey by Mehrizm Foundation, a Gujarat-based public charitable trust, it has been stated that the majority of people are extremely optimistic about a fresh start post-lockdown.
Mehrizm Foundation is run by Indian Academicians and Educators from IIM’s, IIT’s, Psychologists, Psychometricians and Psychotherapists. Amid the coronavirus crisis, it conducted an online psychological survey dedicatedly for the people of Punjab.
The survey was conducted across the variables of age group under 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 54-65, 65, and above. The study also covered the variables of occupation being into business, job, part-time job, freelancer, student, or housewife. Among the total responses from 22 districts of Punjab, 54.64 percent of them were male while 45.36 percent were female out of which 69.34 percent population responded in English while 30.66 percent in Punjabi.
“I have people with whom I can share about my worries, anxiety, and concerns.”
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 43.76% |
20.72% |
11.63% |
4.02% |
It has been observed that the majority of people are having someone with whom they can share about their worries, anxiety, and concerns. It is important to have emotional pillars to share the anxieties, worries, or anything which bothers us, the report said.
“I feel everything will be alright and we will have a fresh start”
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 34.23% |
43.55% |
16.70% |
4.23% |
Amid the coronavirus crisis, the study shows that a total of 77.78 percent of people are extremely optimistic about a fresh start.
“I feel worried about my finances”
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 35.73% |
19.87% |
14% |
6.34% |
While coronavirus lockdown has affected the economy, there are many people who agree to it. However, there are a significant number of people who are still hopeful about a 'fresh start'.
“I get negative thoughts about my health”
“I get negative thoughts about my family’s health”
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 8.25% |
27% |
33.19% |
10% |
People of Punjab are often worried about their parents and the study has shown the same results. As per the study, a total of 44 percent of people agreed and 37 percent strongly agreed to worry about their family's health. The percentage of people worrying more about the family’s health than their own health is significantly higher.
“Humour helps me to cope up tension.”
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 46% |
16% |
2.54% |
10.74% |
We all have a number of ways to cope up with stressful situations. The humour connects generations, the report said. Although, the current humour is more driven through internet memes, WhatsApp jokes, images and videos or application like TikTok etc. Likewise, 62 percent of people agreed to this statement while just 10.74 percent agreed and 24.21 percent strongly disagreed on it.
“Internet helps to me cope up with situation”
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 53% |
24% |
4% |
25% |
Is the Internet a boon or a curse? This has always been a never-ending debate. Amid COVID-19 39%pandemic, the Internet seems to be playing the most vital role in the time of the current crisis. Likewise, the majority of people found the Internet as a boon amid the COVID-19 crisis.
"My work productivity has been affected"
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 39% |
19% |
18% |
6% |
The responses have been collected from people who are working from home, not working, part-time working, or managing work and home parallel simultaneously. Psychologically, it has been realised that how small things add to our work productivity in our daily routine. Starting from getting up early, getting dressed up, going to the office, tea breaks, lunchtime, especially social life during work, all this together, adds up to our work productivity.
"I have become more religious"
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 33% |
9% |
19% |
6% |
While asked about the inclination towards religion during the lockdown, the majority of people agreed to the statement while few of them disagreed to have become more religious.
I feel happy to spend time with my family
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 44% |
38% |
3% |
1% |
A huge number of people have agreed to the statement as many people are happy to spend time with their families. This low percentage of disagreement is an indication of a low number of people facing violence or abuse at home, the report said.
"I feel safe"
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 45% |
20% |
10% |
1% |
Another survey statement was “I feel safe”, to which a total of 65 percent participants agreed to it. The anxiety of feeling unsafe adds to the immunity of the body. This feeling safe implies positive aspects, like external environment, belief in religion or spiritual, willingness to make it through a dark phase and willingness to reclaim life again.
"I feel news helps me to keep up with updates"
| AGREE |
STRONGLY AGREE |
DISAGREE |
STRONGLY DISAGREE |
| 44% |
17% |
12% |
4% |
Meanwhile, Jasbir Kaur Thadhani, Head of Psychometrics for Mehrizm Foundation, said that the current crisis is perceptible about the Physical Health emergency, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The psychologists believe that this may lead to Mental Health crises as well, says Jasbir.
[caption id="attachment_408888" align="alignright"]
Navpreet S Sahni, Managing Trustee, Mehrizm Foundation[/caption]
Navpreet S Sahni, Managing Trustee, Mehrizm Foundation, appealed to the state government to emphasize the better importance of mental health services in comparison to physical health services. "We also appeal to the state government to set up a committee of mental health experts including independent practitioners to attend the issues of emotional well-being which would be a result of the current outbreak.
Conclusion:
Meanwhile, it has been concluded that the current situation is perceptible about Physical Health emergency, but this is just tip of the ice berg. The report stated that the Mental Health crises is taken less seriously in comparison to physical health crises and can be denied with its existence itself, despite the fact that the Section 21(1) of Mental Health Act -2017, reads as under: "Every person with Mental illness shall be treated as equal to persons with physical illness in the provision of all healthcare."
Hence, the Psychologists are bucking up for rehabilitation for prolonged loneliness, internet addiction, distrust, hyper anxiety etc. The survey helped to understand the current emotional well-being. It also stated that deliberately alternative questions had positive tone to, not only ask but to remind them about the hope inside them, it was also to ignite
the trust, that there is no harm in reaching out and sharing when needed.
Also Read | Punjab Government enhances penalties for violation of COVID-19 instructions and guidelines
Emotional Well-being Study is conducted with joint efforts from Dr Bhalchandra Joshi, Chief Patron Dr Navin Patel, Navpreet S Sahni, Managing Trustee, Prof. Jasbir Kaur Thadhani, Head Counseling and Psychometrics, Himanshu Dewangan, Chief Technical Officer, Shweta Parmar, Counseling Psychologist, Animesh Kumawat, Research Associate and Data Analyst, TISS - Mumbai, Akhilesh Gotmare, Artificial Intelligence Scientist, Salesforce – Singapore, Twisha Mistry, Creative Associate, Mehrizm.
-PTC News