The role of the family in mental health recovery

The role of the family in mental health recovery CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Family is a small social system made up of individuals related to each other by reason of strong reciprocal affections and loyalties, and compromising a permanent household that persists over years and decades.It is the most significant primary unit of human society. It is the earliest institution of humankind that is mainly depends upon man’s biological and psychological needs. Without family, no other social institution like religion or government can exist. The sustainability of family is vital to the development and progress of the society. The term family has been derived from the Latin word ‘familia’ which means a house hold establishment.It indicates to a number of individuals staying and living together during important phase of their life time and they are bound to each other by biological, social and psychological relationship. It may be the joint family or an individual family in the modern society. Famous sociologist M.F Nimkoff defines family ‘as a joint effort of husband and wife either with child or without child’. The existence of family is very significant. Family plays a major role in the society. Family generates human capital resources and also it has the power to influence single individual, each household and the behaviour of the community (Sriram, 1993).Hence family is being studied as the most basic unit in the different branches of social science. Human developments, Psychology, anthropology, economics, social psychiatry, social work are examples. Family is a major resource for the various needs of human beings. It is the family plays a major role in the nourishment of children and meeting their most basic needs such as emotional bonding, health, development and protection.There is enormous potential lies within the family and it proves it during the trouble times by providing stability and support.The growth of an individual and the society mostly dep ends upon this basic unit of the society. (Desai, 1995a). Culture to culture and society to society, families and family dynamics varies and they cannot be interpreted without the context of cultural factors. Culture determines the roles of family members and it explains families’ ways of defining problem and solving them. The family in India is known as an ideal homogenous unit with strong coping mechanisms. In a large culturally diverse country like India have plurality of forms in the families that varies with class, ethnicity and individual choices. Collectivism is an important dimension of Indian culture that affects the family functioning. In other words, the basic aspects of human life such as economic, philosophic are given the outlook of interdependence amongst persons. Family cohesion, cooperation, solidarity, and conformity are the major values of collectivistic society like India. Indian joint families are considered Strength, stability, closeness, resilience, and endurance are encouraged in the Indian joint families where family loyalty, family integrity is given priority than individual choices. These unique dimensions of Indian families help the families to overcome difficult situations that they face over the course of time. When an individual in the family is struck with a disease or a ny other troubles, the entire community helps that individual to face that situation. What is Family support? Family support can be defined as the benefits a person receives from the family and friends such as physical emotional and material benefits. Positive social support helps one to improve in the ability to make healthier choices in life. Family or social support would also means being able to access people that a person can rely upon if needed. In an individual’s life, family support is essential at all times. Good support from the family enhances the individual to excel in his or her field of interest. On the contrary, poor support results in poor performance. A person hailing from a lower socio economic strata s considered to be Mental Health and family support Health is the most important aspect of human life. According to WHO Health is a state of absolute physical, mental and social well-being and not only the absence of disease(World health Organisation,2001) Mental health is another area where family support is an inevitable factor. In a situation where resources for mental health are scarcely available families form a valuable support system. Mental health is defined as state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community ( World Health Organisation, WHO includes social support as one of the key determinants of health. Mental illness is medical condition that affects an individual’s thinking, emotions, ability to relate with others and daily functioning. Just as any other physical conditions, mental illness are medical conditions which results in poor capacity for coping w ith the demands of life. Mental illness is considered the most pathetic condition of a human life. Indian traditions considered a mentally ill person as an outcast since he or she was labelled as cursed by gods. The presence of mentally ill in a family brings huge implications. There will be only a handful in the family who will be willing to take care of the patient namely the mother or wife. When one person is ill in the family, the entire course of the family gets changed. Because society would label the family as cursed and this would bring a wide range of problems especially if the family hails from a lower social and economic strata. On the contrary, Indian families are the key resources for the mentally ill. There are mainly two reasons for this position. First, it is mainly because of the traditional practice of collectivism and concern for the relatives in adversities. As a result, most Indian families do not hesitate to be significantly involved in all aspects of care for their relatives. The tradition of involvement of family in the care of mentally ill has always existed. Secondly, since there is a long gap between the need and thus the clinicians mostly depend on the family. Thus having adequate family support becomes the need of the patient, clinician and health administrators. INVOLVEMENT OF FAMILY IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN INDIA In the pre independence era, mental health care services in India were not organised. Usually persons with mental illness were taken care by family members or religious institutions. In other cases they roamed free.’ Mental asylums’ were introduced by Britishers where unwanted dangerous mentally ill were kept behind shut doors. Though it was initially for their soldiers, later Indian population also received the services. T was in Bombay in 1745 the first mental asylum was established. The second in Calcutta in 1781, the third in Madras in 1794 and the fourth in Monghyr, Bihar in 1795. Globally there were changes taking place in the mental health scenario, which involved ‘moral treatment’ and comprehensive community mental health approach. However, not all these changes in Europe and America made any impact on the Indian scene. Approach of the Government until 1946 was to establish custodial and no therapeutic centres. In 1957, there was a shift in the mental health field when Dr.VidyaSagar the then superintendent of Amritsar Mental Hospital, took initiative to involve the close relatives of the mentally ill in the treatment. The family stayed in the hospital campus along with the patients in open tents. This in fact aided the speedy recovery of the patients in comparison with those patients who did not stay with the families. Christian Medical College,Vellore established family wards in the psychiatric setting which followed many advantages such as accelerated rate of recovery, low relapse rates. Many family members started helping the community by identifying the psychiatric patients and providing the guidance. The close relatives of the patients were asked to stay with the patients in the open wards .at NIMHANS.Using family as a major resource in the process of recovery of mentally ill has the advantage of relieving the professionals.Community care has been a paradigm shift for psychiatric treatment worldwide. Recovery in mental health Recovery in mental health cannot be easily defined. This significant aspect depends upon many factors. A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential (Samhsa, August 2011). Recovery from mental illness is a long term process. It involves the experience of healing and transformation and by which the person learns to live a purpose oriented life in the society. He or she would learn to make use of his or her potential in the very journey of healing. Bipolar disorder is a recurrent and long-term mental illness that can seriously affect the lives of patients and their families. Bipolar disorder is a common psychiatric disorder that includes periods of extremely elevated mood and periods of depression and periods of full or partial recovery. The cycles of high and low mood states and well periods may follow an irregular pattern. The treatment of Bipolar disorder cannot be limited to pharmacotherapy alone. Psychotherapy, psycho education, peer group support also play major role in the process of recovery. Bipolar affective disorder Bipolar disorder is a chronic, severe illness that can impose significant impairment on multiple aspects of a patient’s life including interpersonal relationships, occupational functioning and financial stability (APA, 2002). Globally it has been ranked the ninth highest cause of years of life lost due to death or disability and the 12th most prevalent cause of disability among individuals aged between 15 and 44 years (World Health Organization, 2004).The distress and impairment caused by bipolar disorder is a wide spread and important issue. Globally the lifetime prevalence of all forms of the illness, often referred to as bipolar spectrum disorders, has been estimated to be 5% in the general population. Ganguli (2000) reported that the national rate of affective disorder in India as 34 per 1000 population. This disorder significantly affects the functional capacity of the person. Apart from regular medication, support from the near and dear makes a large difference in the recovery process. The practice guideline of The American Psychiatric Association (APA) for Bipolar Disorder treatment suggests the use of certain psychotherapies which includes family therapy as well(American Psychiatric Association,2002) So there are high chances that by the sincere involvement in the care of these patients they may improve in their psychosocial functioning and also to cope with their own struggles due to the illness. Conclusion Unlike the institutionalized care, in the community based care for the persons with mental illness, the role of family is very important. The bio medical, socio economic, psycho- spiritual and every integral dimension of the society is necessary in the recovery process. Family being the smallest unit of the society therefore is of much importance in rebuilding the life of the persons with mentally ill. Family is pivotal to catering to the persons with mental illness as they function as the primary care givers. In short, The involvement of family is the need of the hour.

Career in Criminal Justice

There are several different careers to choose from in the criminal justice field. I was unsure of which direction to go in until I joined the military. One of the career paths that interest me is a career in the military. My second choice would be outside of the military. The two professions that interest me the most is OSI (Office of Special Investigations) and DEA (Diversion Investigator). Both of these jobs have many comparisons and some differences. The first job that interest me the most is Office of Special Investigations. OSI is an officer or an enlisted job in the United States Air Force. Basically, you have to plan and conduct investigations. They interview witnesses and interrogate people who is suspected of committing a violation of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). This job consists of many responsibilities such as conducting lineups and fingerprint suspects, write reports, provide testimony at court proceedings, and participate in surveillances and crime scene searches. Some of the skills needed to perform this job is great writing and speaking skills. Also you need to have qualification to bear firearms. The reason why this is important, because all knowledge is mandatory of special investigative policy. Also techniques in fraud, counterintelligence, personnel background, and technical security services are demanded as well. Other skills needed for the criminal justice field that coincides are driving skills, report-writing abilities, and significant weapon skills (p 205 Schmalleger). Other qualifications is to pass the United States military physical fitness test and their background check. You have to be physically fit to perform this job and maintain criminal free record. You can read also  Justice System Position Paper   The second job that interest me is a Diversion Investigator. This job is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration. You have to perform many duties such as examine the accounts of manufactures, pharmacies, and hospitals. Conducting security breaches, investigating the misuse of pharmaceutical prescriptions, and retrieving contraband is also part of the career field. Their mission is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the U. S. and bring it to the criminal and civil justice systems. They have many responsibilities such as proper investigation, prepare for rosecutions of major violated crimes, manage the drug intelligence program, and conduct a professional work environment at all times. Some of the skills that are required is to have the ability to gather research and analyze data, interpreting regulations, and the ability to communicate. Some of the criminal justice skills needed is having administrative skills, management techniques and radio communicatio n skills (p 205 Schmalleger). With this profession you have to pass a background check, pass a drug test and be physically fit. In some cases, you may have to relocate. In conclusion, the skills listed for both jobs are needed to accomplish the mission. They are required to help prepare a potential investigator for the real world. It enables you to perform at optimal levels of extreme and stressful situations. These career fields inspire me because, the very skills needed to perform the job are parallel to my professional long term goals in numerous ways. With both jobs, you need great communication skills are the foundation of the mission. Being able to write and speak clearly is also a key. As an investigator, I am confidently sure you will be doing a great amount of writing and a whole lot of public speaking. Testifying in court will be often for you. The reason why I am interested in OSI is because I am already a part of a career field that is similar and will be able to advance in the military as an investigator. The reason I would be interested in DEA is because, I have great management skills and will maintain an ambitious attitude to protect the United States military and civilian population from misuse of drugs. You can read also King v Cogdon The strategies I would use to achieve the skills needed for the jobs I selected is the criminal investigations strategy and the emergency response strategy (p 212 Schmalleger). The criminal investigation strategy is the manner by which a hearing of evidences involving to an existing delinquency is amassed. This could be leading up to an apprehension. The emergency response is the manifestation of a cop at an event when there is an instant threat at hand. Both of these strategies will be of use to achieve the skills needed for my career choices.

Malicious Code Cyber Attacks

The use of internet and networks have various advantages where companies can increase cost efficiency by sharing resources and crucial data can be shared and backed up on various locations. The network of a company though quite important in modern times is prone to various cyber attacks which target the financial and sensitive sectors of a company. A potential hacker could target the network of a company in various ways if there is a security loophole in the company network. The various cyber attack threats a company faces include cracking, malicious code, back door, sniffer, TCP hijacking, mail bombs and other threats.The nature of such a threat, its effect on the network, problems caused by the attack and the countermeasures available to the company is explained. Cyber Attacks Using Malicious Code The most common type of cyber attacks involves malicious code. A hacker encodes a piece of code using some programming language and attaches an executable file to an email or sends this f ile to potential targets using an internet messenger service. The code usually creates a loophole in the network infrastructure of the company and the hacker can easily access any data or files available on the intranet of the company that is not shared with the general public.The hacker can easily access financial, personal and other sensitive information from the network of the company and misuse it in various ways. The sensitive data may include the industrial secrets of the company, the personal files of employees, financial information regarding the company and marketing policies and plans. When a company is attacked through malicious code, a person would receive an email or instant message requiring the person to open a file which would be executed and embedded in the network infrastructure and the company would face various problems (T., Sachs, Devost, Shaw, & Stroz, 2004). The level of severity of these problems may be minimum or maximum. The hacker would have access to the marketing and financial procedures of the company and could black-mail the company or provide this data to the competitors of the company. Another major problem caused by this attack would be the malfunctioning or stoppage of any crucial software which is necessary for running business operations. Personal information of the employees including names, telephone numbers and addresses would be compromised and would create a personal threat to them as well.The cyber attack could launch a companywide malfunction of hardware and software limiting the operations of the company, as today almost all operations are dependent on computers. The code could change critical information relating to business operations such as input data for various operating processes. The company can stop and prevent these cyber attacks in various ways. The malicious code technique of attack usually involves a file which is transferred through emails, instant messengers, loopholes in the firewall framework and da ta transfers from insecure websites and sources.The attacks can be prevented by filtering content received over the internet through emails and instant messengers. Antivirus, intrusion detection and content filtering programs can be implemented to limit transfer of malicious software or code. The employees of the company should be trained in this regard and should be made aware of the potential dangers of malicious code and the sources it can come from. The firewalls implemented in the company should be tested and audited with test scenarios to guarantee the safety of these firewalls.All backup of data should be kept in safe and secure locations which is not available on the network of the company. When the attack does occur there should be contingency plans available to cope with the effects of this attack and operating procedures should be defined well ahead of time to deal with such threats. Intrusion detection and prevention systems should be implemented at all levels of the net work to increase the safety and security of the network (GFI, 2009). Conclusion Cyber attacks are very common in modern times and there are various types of threats and these methods and types changing with the pace of time.Individuals and companies also need to be updated on the various new methods, techniques and prevention for such attacks. If there is a cyber attack on an individual or a company, it could result in adverse consequences including loss of crucial data and loss of financial resources. To prevent and limit the frequency and probability of these attacks various protection and safeguard tools such as antivirus and intrusion detection should be implemented. References GFI. (2009). Targeted Cyber Attacks. Cary: GFI. T. , P. , Sachs, M. , Devost, M. G. , Shaw, E. , & Stroz, E. (2004). Cyber Adversary Characterization. Burlington: Syngress.

What Is Self-Determination Theory

Self-determination theory is a psychological framework for understanding human motivation. It was developed by psychologists Richard Ryan and Edward Deci and grew out of research on intrinsic motivation, or the internal desire to do something for its own sake,  not for an external reward. Self-determination theory states that people are driven by three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Key Takeaways: Self-Determination Theory Self-determination theory identifies three basic needs as essential to psychological health and well-being: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are the far ends of a continuum. Deci and Ryan developed self-determination theory as a way to understand the intrinsic end of the motivational spectrum.The theory emphasizes the benefits of acting out of internal drives. It assumes that the individual is able to take action based on personal goals and values. Origins in Intrinsic Motivation In the 1970s, Edward Deci conducted research on intrinsic motivation. In these experiments he contrasted intrinsic motivation with extrinsic motivation, or the drive to do something for the reward it will bring, whether that’s money, praise, or something else one desires. For example, he asked two groups of college students to solve mechanical puzzles. One of the groups was told they would receive a dollar for every puzzle they completed. The other group was told nothing about a reward. After a period of time, the two groups were given a free period where they could choose what they wanted to do from a series of activities. The group that was promised a monetary reward played with the puzzles during this free period significantly less than the group that was not promised a reward. The paid group also found the puzzles less interesting and enjoyable than the group that wasn’t paid.   Deci’s studies and similar investigations by other researchers demonstrated that intrinsic motivation can be diminished by external rewards. When a reward is introduced, Deci suggested, people no longer see a reason to do an activity for its own sake and instead see the activity as a means to the external reward. Thus, by shifting the reason the individual does something from intrinsic to extrinsic, the task becomes less interesting because the reasons for doing it now come from outside the self. Of course, this doesn’t extend to all external rewards. If an activity is boring, a reward may serve as an incentive that enables people to improve their engagement in the task. Also, social rewards like praise and encouragement can actually increase intrinsic motivation. These examples demonstrate that intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are not rigid categories. They are actually the far ends of a continuum. Motivations may be more internal or more external depending on the circumstances. For instance, an individual might internalize the goal of going to the gym to work out after encouragement from the social world. In this case, the individual might be intrinsically motivated by the enjoyment of their gym activities but he or she is also extrinsically motivated by the positive perceptions people have of those who work out regularly. Deci and his colleague Richard Ryan developed self-determination theory as a way to understand the intrinsic end of the motivational spectrum. The theory emphasizes the benefits of acting out of internal, instead of external, drives. It views the individual as active and agentic, and therefore able to take action based on personal goals and values. Basic Needs Ryan and Deci define basic psychological needs as â€Å"nutriments† that are essential for psychological growth and mental health. In self-determination theory, basic psychological needs serve as the basis for personality growth and integration, well-being, and positive social development. The theory identifies three specific needs, which are considered universal and applicable throughout the lifespan. Those three needs are: Autonomy Autonomy is the ability to feel independent and able to act on the world in a way that matches one’s desires. If the individual lacks autonomy, he or she feels controlled by forces that are not in line with who they are, whether those forces are internal or external. Of the three needs of self-determination theory, autonomy is the least accepted as a basic psychological need. Psychologists who object to its classification as a need believe that if people are controlled and not autonomous they will not suffer unhealthy outcomes or pathology. Therefore, from the perspective of these scholars, autonomy does not meet the criteria for a need outlined by Ryan and Deci. Competence Competence is the ability to feel effective in what one does. When an individual feels competent they feel a sense of mastery over their environment and feel confident in their capabilities. Competence is increased when one is given opportunities to exercise their skills in challenges that are optimally matched to their abilities. If tasks are too hard or too easy, feelings of competence will decrease. Relatedness Relatedness is the ability to feel connected with others and a sense of belonging. In order to have one’s relatedness needs met, they must feel important to the other individuals in their orbit. This may be achieved through one person exhibiting care for another. According to self-determination theory, all three needs must be met for optimal psychological functioning. So if ones environment meets some needs but not others, well-being will still be negatively impacted. Furthermore, these needs affect well-being even if people aren’t aware of them or their culture doesn’t value them. One way or another, if these needs aren’t met, psychological health will suffer. On the other hand, if the individual is able to meet these three needs, they are considered self-determined and will be mentally healthy. Basic Needs in Real-World Settings Research on self-determination theory has shown the importance of the three basic needs in a variety of domains, from work and school to sports and politics. For example, research has shown that students of all  ages from elementary school to college respond best to teachers who support their autonomy. These students demonstrate greater intrinsic motivation in the classroom and typically learn better. They also experience greater well-being. This has also been demonstrated in the context of parenting. Parents who are more controlling have children who are less interested and persistent and who don’t perform as well as the children of parents who support their children’s autonomy.   Autonomy is also important in the workplace. Studies have indicated that managers who support their employees’ autonomy increase the employees trust in their company and satisfaction with their jobs. In addition, supporting employees’ autonomy results in employees who feel that their needs are satisfied in general. These employees also experience less anxiety. Enhancing Self-Determination Self-determination theory is based on one’s ability to meet intrinsic needs and be true to their own values and desires. However, self-determination can be enhanced by focusing on the following: Improve self-awareness through self-examination and reflectionSet goals and create plans to achieve themImprove problem-solving and decision-making skillsImprove self-regulation through mindfulness or other techniquesFind social support and connect with othersGain mastery over areas that have meaning for you Sources Ackerman, C, and Nhu Tran. â€Å"What is the Self-Determination Theory of Motivation?† Positve Psychology Program, 14 February 2019. https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/self-determination-theory/#work-self-determinationBaumeister, Roy F. â€Å"The Self.† Advanced Social Psychology: The State of the Science, edited by Roy F. Baumeister and Eli J. Finkel, Oxford University Press, 2010, pp. 139-175.Cherry, Kendra. â€Å"What is Self-Determination Theory.†Ã‚  Verywell Mind, 26 October 2018.  https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-determination-theory-2795387McAdams, Dan. The Person: An Introduction to the Science of Personality Psychology. 5th ed., Wiley, 2008.Ryan, Richard M. and Edward L. Deci. â€Å"Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being.† American Psychologist, vol. 55, no. 1, 2000, pp. 68-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68Ryan, Richard M. and Edward L. Deci. â€Å"Sel f-Determination Theory and the Role of Basic Psychological Needs in Personality and the Organization of Behavior.† Handbook of Personality: Theory and Research. 3rd ed., edited by Oliver P. John, Richard W. Robins, and Lawrence A. Pervin. The Guilford Press, 2008, pp. 654-678.