Mind and Society

Post-Pandemic Mental Health in Schools: Challenges and Resources

Saranya Gowri Shankar, Saranya Gowri Shankar, Divya Dovina — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The chapter delves into the profound implications of the global pandemic on the mental health of school-going individuals and assesses the preparedness and efficacy of schools in addressing these challenges. Post-pandemic, schools have not just been academic institutions, but also epicenters for mental health concerns and recovery. Notably, there has been an uptick in reported cases of anxiety and depression among students (Seens, et al., 2022). These disruptions to students' well-being can be attributed to educational status, developmental age, being economically underprivileged, being quarantined due to infection, and fear of infection (Singh, et al., 2020). The chapter also evaluates the availability and efficacy of mental health resources within school settings. Preliminary findings suggest a considerable disparity in the access to and quality of mental health resources across schools, with underfunded institutions facing significant challenges (Saxena, et al., 2007), However, where resources have been made available, there has been a demonstrable positive impact on student well-being, engagement, and academic performance (Suldo, et al., 2013). The chapter underscores the necessity for schools to prioritize mental health, advocate for appropriate funding, and continually assess and adapt their mental health strategies

Awakening Time To Modify Parenting Style “Strict Need of Change”

Yashika Rao, Rishita Rishita, Gurvinder Kaur — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The family setting we are born into has the biggest impact on our emotional growth. Our early childhood is why in shaping our emotional development despite In reality after that a person experience other life events as time passes. As a child growing up in India, the norm is to have a house shared by one not one but a few generations of elders. So, kids have access to wisdom from a higher number of generations resulting in getting different minds from which they can get advice. These individuals become the first source of care and This way the first opportunity to create the feeling of belonging. When the relationship between children and their caregivers is continuously warm and loving that certain positive qualities should emerge: an individual will be able to understand the feelings of others more easily, be more forgiving, the propensity to realize when one is being helped and ability to depend on safe emotional connections. Such emotional bonds have been proven to be linked to emotional well-being, the ease of making friends and concentrating at school. In contrast, the lack of affection, sending out the wrong signals or putting too much pressure on a child can bring a complete halt in achieving the normal development. The migration from the countryside to cities, exhausted parents and even family trauma being passed down through generations can act as such agents which will further widen these gaps. The possible results can be a mind that is constantly stirring, a feeling of sadness that has no specific cause, a low sense of value and finding it difficult to form close relationships. Besides looking at the family life in the major cities of India, there was also the witnessing the hardships of early childhood in the rural Bihar, study of which shows that the developmental patterns are general ones. Alongside the theories of moral development (e.g. Kohlberg, Hoffman) there are local ideas like sanskara (moral development) and the gurushishya parampara (continuity through trusted relationships) that have been introduced. These viewpoints not only help to understand how care-giving methods impact the mental states of a person but they also show how such methods contribute to the overall well-being of a person.

From Synapses to Self : The Role of Neural Mechanisms in Shaping Human Behavior

Ashu Dhawan, Nanki Waraich — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The paper, “From Synapses to Self”, examines the connection between neural processes and human identity. It posits that the “self” is a dynamic entity, continuously molded by evolving brain activity. The journey starts with the basic components: neurons and their synaptic connection. The core of this process is synaptic plasticity, the brain‟s ability to strengthen or weaken neural connections in response to experience, which is fundamental to learning, memory and general neuroplasticity throughout a person‟s life. This paper examines the neural foundations that underpin cognitive functions. Cognition involves higher-order thinking, and perception plays a crucial role in shaping cognitive outcomes. Perception functions actively; it helps the brain to interpret sensory input through internal models. Attention shapes this process by selecting information to enter the „global workspace‟ of consciousness. Attention helps in learning and memory and it facilitate the decision – making through a system of planning and evaluation. In addition, the paper further explores the emergence of complex aspects of a human-like emotion and personality. Emotions are shown to arise from a distributed neural network and are linked to physiological needs. These process from the basis of personality, which is tied to specific brain regions and neurotransmitter systems. The relationship between emotion and personality is significant, as emotion can influence personality traits and vice versa. These relationships culminate in behavior, both adaptive and maladaptive, illustrating how the microscopic world of synapses shapes the macroscopic expression of a person. The paper concludes by studying how these interconnected neural mechanisms manifest behavior, highlighting both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes (Kandel et al, 2014).

Sequential Memory in Developmental Dyslexia: Toward an Integrative Cognitive Framework

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Developmental dyslexia refers to an unexpected difficulty with reading experienced by children and adults who otherwise possess the intellectual ability, motivation, and educational opportunities necessary to develop accurate and fluent reading skills. Traditionally, phonological processing deficits have been regarded as the primary cognitive mechanism underlying dyslexia. However, emerging evidence suggests that impairments in sequential memory and serial-order processing may also contribute substantially to reading problems. Sequential memory, the ability to remember information in the order in which it was presented, is crucial for reading and spelling, as both depend on the accurate sequencing of letters and sounds. Consequently, deficits in sequential memory may contribute to difficulties in literacy development and other daily cognitive activities among individuals with dyslexia. This article examines the role of sequential memory in developmental dyslexia. It also traces the historical development of dyslexia research from early descriptions of “word blindness” to contemporary multidimensional neuro developmental frameworks. Drawing upon evidence from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and educational research, the article proposes that sequential memory may function as an important integrative mechanism linking perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, and learning processes. Conceptualising dyslexia within a broader framework of sequential memory dysfunction may help refine existing theoretical models and support the development of more targeted cognitive and educational interventions to improve academic performance and long-term functional outcomes.

Impact of Resilience: A Review on Marital Satisfaction

Satya Ranjan Bhattacharya, Debjani Mukherjee, Basant Kumar Sonber — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The husband and wife in a marriage serve as two pillars in the essential family structures, unique and sacred partnerships not available in other relationships, intended to provide lifelong companionship, romance, support, sexual fulfilment and commitment to each other. Most adult individuals in all cultures get married to lead a family life. Some spouses experience these qualities to lead a satisfied life. This review article examines the prevalence, impact of resilience on family and couple marital relationship satisfaction and consequences of poor resilience. Evidence indicates that inadequate resilience competency adversely impacts marital satisfaction. Resilience has become a crucial component while evaluating marital satisfaction both in India and beyond. This review article incorporates 32 studiessourced from various databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, JSTOR, Elsevier, etc. When a married couple or single partner enters into a marriage contract, they face challenges that affect their level of marital pleasure. Evidences and review suggest resilience play prominent role in marital satisfaction. Correlation between resilience and marital satisfaction indicates higher resilience tend to experience greater marital satisfaction. The review also explores the causalities; demographic and situational factors associated with resilience influencing marital satisfaction. Addressing resilience isessential for promoting healthier, happier marital bond.

Cognitive Offloading in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review of Human Thinking Ability

Pavitra Bajpai, Aparna Mishra — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday activities has accelerated the use of cognitive offloading, whereby individuals rely on external technologies to support memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the effects of AI-assisted cognitive offloading on human thinking abilities, with particular attention to cognitive decline, cognitive restructuring, and cognitive enhancement. Methods: This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search of Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science identified peer-reviewed empirical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and theoretical papers published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible studies examined AI-assisted cognitive offloading or AI-supported cognition and reported outcomes related to memory, critical thinking, attention, or problem-solving. Studies unrelated to AI, lacking cognitive outcomes, or published in languages other than English were excluded. Data were synthesized using thematic analysis across four cognitive domains: memory retention, critical thinking, attentional control, and problem-solving. Results: The evidence indicates a dual-effect pattern. Frequent reliance on AI was associated with reduced independent recall, increased dependence on external systems, and lower engagement in effortful reasoning, supporting concerns regarding digital amnesia. Conversely, AI reduced extraneous cognitive load, enabling users to devote greater cognitive resources to higher-order processes such as analysis, evaluation, and creativity. These effects varied according to task complexity, user expertise, and the extent of AI use. Conclusion: AI-assisted cognitive offloading reshapes rather than uniformly diminishes or enhances human cognition. Longitudinal studies are needed to distinguish temporary cognitive adaptation from lasting cognitive change. The findings have important implications for education, digital literacy, and the human-centered design of AI technologies.

Emotional Intelligence and Stress in Relation to Nature, Type of Organization and Hierarchy

Radhika Sahu, H.G.R. Tripathi — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Emotional intelligence and stress have emerged as significant determinants of professional effectiveness and psychological well-being across a variety of organizational settings. The present research paper describes and discusses the pattern of emotional intelligence and stress perceived by participants working in different (academic institutions and banking) sectors, specifically across public and private organizations and at different hierarchical levels (lower and higher). Two hundred (N=200) participants from public and private sectors working in academic institutions and banks took part in the study. These participants were working in higher and junior categories. Standardized scales (Emotional Intelligence & stress scale) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, three-way ANOVA, and correlational analysis. The findings revealed significant differences in the perception of participants on emotional intelligence and stress working in public and private sector employees. It was reported that public sector participants evinced higher emotional intelligence as compared to participants belonged to private sectors. Similarly, higher stress level was observed in private sector organizations due to increased performance demands and work pressure. Results indicated that junior -level participants experienced greater stress as compared to higher-cadre participants. Furthermore, emotional intelligence was negatively correlated with stress, indicated its protective role in managing workplace challenges. The study highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in stress management among participants across sectors, with implications for training, organizational policies, and professional development.

The Role Of Popular Media On Street Harassment – A Qualitative Inquiry

Namita Narula, Tushar Singh — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Street harassment is the most subtle form of sexual harassment and has become so common that people have started accepting it as a part of the social fabric of our lives. Popular media continues to show behaviours of street harassment like stalking, whistling, or following as flirtatious and a part of courtship. The media plays a very important role in our understanding of acceptable behaviour and provides the audience with a cultural script that entails the norms of society. The study aimed to explore the role of popular media on street harassment through the voices of the women victims of street harassment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 22 women who had experienced street harassment one or more times in the last year,in the age range of 18-33 years. Thematic analysis was conducted on the transcribed data, and three subthemes emerged -Romanticising the harassment, Media as a socialising agent and Manufacturing female consent; with an overarching theme, “Media as a script for entitlement and vulgarity”. This study seeks to initiate a conversation among policy makers, film makers and the larger media fraternity to acknowledge the effect of media beyond entertainment.

Mindset and Personality Dimensions as Predictors of Depression

R B N Sinha, Atul Kumar Dwivedy — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study aims to examine the role of mindset orientations and personality dimensions in predicting the magnitudes of depression. A sample of 100 postgraduate students was randomly selected from different colleges of Patna (Bihar) who volunteered to participate. Mindset orientationswere assessed using a 40- item self- developed questionnaire, while personality dimensions (Bhushan, 1969) and depression (Lakshmi, 1992) were measured using standardized scales. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the overall model was significant, explaining 53 per centof the variance in depression scores. Neuroticism emerged as the strongest positivepredictor, indicating the higher level of neuroticism was associated with greater depressive symptoms. The factor,“fixed and defensive mindset” also contributed significantly to depression where as extraversion, growth oriented self-belief, social anxiety and open-minded orientation did not significantly predict depression.

Masculine Norm Failure in Indian men: A Qualitative Exploration of Shame, Anxiety and Aggression

Adarsh Nim, Shalini Mittal — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Regardless of the growing literature body and theoretical interest in masculine norm failure and its psychological consequences, the lived experiences of Indian men remain significantly understudied. Along with this, the existing research depends on WEIRD populations and Western measurements tools which are not capable enough to capture India‟s cultural dimensions when it comes to masculinity. Grounded in Pleck‟s (1995) Gender Role Strain Paradigm (GRSP), this qualitative study explored what Indian men experience psychologically when they perceive themselves failing to comply with the masculine norms, and how they make sense of those experiences. The data in the study as collected from 23 Indian men aged 18-35 through an open-ended qualitative survey via Google Forms (online). The data was further analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021). The dataset was able to produce three main themes and nine subthemes. The first theme, Psychological Experiences of Masculine Norm Failure, recorded shame, anxiety, aggression and emotional suppression as primary psychological responses by men to mask vulnerability instead of direct hostile behaviour. The second theme, Masculinity as an Internalised Identity, discovered that participants comprehended masculine norms as constitutive features of personal identity and self-worth. The participants rendered this norm-failure as threat to self-identity rather than situational inadequacy. The third main theme highlighted dimensions such as family honour (izzat), the provider role as a moral duty and intergenerational obligation, followed by relational suppression of personal struggle as culturally specific ones, which remains absent in the Western frameworks. The findings support and confirm the cross-sectional application of the GRSP while underscoring that Indian masculine norm failure upholds collective, familial and reputational stakes which the framework alone fails to theorise. This suggests how there is a need for tailored psychological assessments in India, as per the cultural population

Silenced Twice: Emotional Avoidance and Policy Invisibility of Children of Incarcerated Mothers in India

Sakshi Mathur, Shalini Mittal — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Children of incarcerated mothers in India remain among the least visible populations within both psychological research and criminal justice policy. This paper introduces the concept of dual-layered silence to examine how these children are rendered invisible at two interconnected levels: the micro level of maternal emotional avoidance and the macro level of policy omission. At the psychological level, incarcerated mothers may suppress or avoid discussing their children as a trauma-mediated survival response shaped by guilt, helplessness, stigma, and carceral stress. Such emotional distancing should not be misread as lack of care, but as an adaptive coping mechanism under conditions of deprivation. At the structural level, Indian legal and policy frameworks rarely explicitly recognize children of incarcerated mothers as a distinct vulnerable group requiring targeted welfare, developmental, or psychosocial interventions. Drawing on Trauma Theory, the paper argues that these two silences are mutually reinforcing, producing what is conceptualized as the Carceral Silence Loop, a cyclical process in which institutional neglect deepens maternal helplessness, emotional suppression reduces advocacy visibility, and policy silence continues. Using deductive thematic analysis of incarcerated mothers’ narratives alongside a policy mapping matrix of relevant Indian laws and correctional frameworks, the paper highlights how emotional and institutional silences sustain intergenerational disadvantage. It concludes by calling for child-inclusive prison policy, trauma-informed maternal support systems, and recognition of these children within child protection discourse.

Role of Social Capital and Psychological Capital (PsyCap) in promoting Students Mental Health

Kiran Kiran, Taruna Gera — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The surge in mental health issues among students is a concern for all. The present study examined the relationships among social capital, psychological capital, and mental health among students. The participants for the study include 210 (N=210) undergraduate students from different colleges of various districts of Haryana (India). The age range of participants is between 18 and 24 years. Appropriate psychological tools were used for the assessment of variables. The findings established a significant positive correlation among social capital, psychological capital, and mental health. Further, social capital and psychological capital were found to be significant predictors of mental health among students.