PhD Theses and Dissertations

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THE IMPACTS OF MIGRATION OF CHITRALESE TO PESHAWAR: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
(INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL WORK, SOCIOLOGY AND GENDER STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR, 2014-01-28) Akhtar Ali; Supervisor: Rashid Khan
The present study was carried out to look into the prospects of migration as phenomena from Chitral to Peshawar with the aim of improvement in livelihood through the study objectives, like assessing the socio-economic status of the migrants, studying migration in the perspective of its pull and push factors, the remittances received from these migrants and along with effects on the relative life standards through exploring the relationship between push and pull factors. All those working in the Chitrali market, Peshawar were the potential population of the study with association to their relatives back in Chitral. A sample size of 500 Chitralese (mostly workers and businessmen) as household heads, 250 each from Peshawar and Chitral were randomly selected from the total population of 5000. Data were collected through a well designed interview schedule while ensuring the incorporation of each aspect of the study. Frequency distributions were carried out to dig out the information in percentage while for ascertaining the relationship between dependent variables i.e. (Income and family size) were cross tabulated through association test (2) with the independent variables. The study found that majority i.e. (74.4%) respondents were from the joint family system with monthly income ranges from (10001–20000) constituted the majority i.e. (78.4%) respectively. At bi-variate level, pre-migration occupation, family size, purpose of spending money, comparison between present and previous job, reason of migration to Peshawar, reason of leaving native area, wife execution of responsibilities at home and development of new habits of the migrants at the point of destination were found significant (p < 0.05) with family type (dependent variable). Moreover, push factors, pull factors, monthly expenditure, saving, amount of money being spent were found significant (p < 0.05) with income (dependent variable). In addition, T-test statistics were also carried out to measure the pre and post migration effects. It was found that amount spent on health, housing conditions, education of children, household goods, using agricultural inputs, spending on daily use items, livestock, indoor recreational facilities, women education, income, fuel consumption, and telephone/ cell facilities were found highly significant (P = 0.000). The study concluded that people (migrants) had low income level at their native areas. Laborers were in abundance, as agriculture was the dominant profession. Formal education was of trivial nature while religious education in dominance was the most push factors. Upon the migration, migrants were found successful in enhancing their income, sending money (savings) to native areas. Remittances, received were contributing towards spending on children education, health and on over all improvement in the socio-economic profile of the respondents. Moreover, the income was found to be used for enhancement in educational excellence of the kids of migrants, along with structural modification in house construction and infra-structural development. In addition, only agricultural back at Chitral, migration made them exposed to iii joining new and innovative interventions in terms of jobs. Moreover, matriarchal traits were also discovered, where women were performing a leading role in the absence of males at their relative households. Based on the findings of the study, a well designed institutional mechanism of predicting and regulating the migration phenomena with sequential out-comes, designing a policy of development of the native areas in light of remittances received, while focusing on structural and functional growth of the area including construction of infrastructure facilities through provision of complete package were suggested as policy recommendations in light of the study.
Effects of Child with Intellectual Disability on Families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2008) Shakeel Ahmed; Supervised by Prof. Dr Johar Ali
This study explores the effects ofchildren with Intellectual Disability (ID) on families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KP), Pakistan. A total of 58 parents were interviewed by employing qualitative data collection techniques such as In-depth Individual and Focus Group Interviews in four districts (i.e. Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan and Haripur). In addition, 15 officials of the special education centres were also interviewed for exploring institutional role in mitigating miseries ofaffected families. This study shows that environmental barrier and negative attitudes towards child with ID imposes adverse effects on families which vary from family to family. For instance, nuclear families were seriously affected than joint families owing to limited family members and lack of social-economic support. Subsequently, the functions (socialization), social organizations, (re) production, stability, reputation, authority, socio-emotional security of the nuclear families were seriously disturbed. On the other hand, joint families were found least affected due to socio-economic support of family members. However, social reputation of joint families was affected due to stigma associated with ID. Mothers in the nuclear families were badly affected as compared to fathers due to patriarchal structure and poorinstitutional support. Subsequently, they faced social exclusion, social stigma and taunt, strain relations with spouse, and their non-disable children. Unlike mothers, fathers were affected less, yet as guardians and breadwinners’ fathers face financial burden in fulfilling the ‘special needs’ of intellectually challenged children. Such extra financial burden also affected the educational, medical, and nutritional needs ofthe non-disable children. Byemploying ‘social model ofdisability’, patriarchy, lack of education and lack of governmentinterest in recognizing ID as a serious disability, were the major barrier that had crippled families in dealing with such children. Moreover, the indifferent attitude of government made the institutions of special education and social welfare ineffective; consequently, these institutions failed to mitigate the miseries ofsuch families.
Child Protection and The Juvenile Justice System in Pakistan: A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2015) Imran Ahmad Sajid; Supervised by Prof. Dr Amir Zada Asad
This research explores the juvenile justice system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Juvenile justice is a policy area that focuses on child welfare in the area ofcriminal justice. Research on juvenile justice system in Pakistan has remained dismal though. This thesis, based on qualitative research methodology, explores how the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance-2000 has played in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Central thesis ofthis research is that there is a significant gap between the theory and practice ofthejuvenilejustice system in Pakistan, based on many groundsincluding religious as well as cultural. The juveni'e justice like most other social policies is a transplanted institution. Throughout this thesis, it was found that juvenile justice means different things to different people. The legal documents are hardly followed in practice. Police officers use discretionary powers in extending benefits or otherwise, of JJSO to an offender. Prosecutionrarely, ifever, raises the question ofage of the offender. There is no difference in adult and a juvenile trial for prosecutors. Courts use the same procedures and methods as used for adults. There are a significant nvember of offenders in prison. The probation officers have meager resources to perform this extra duty as a protector of the rights ofthe child involved in criminallitigationsat all stages. This study found that the law-in-the-books did not have anyreal relationship with what presently happensin police stations, the courts, probation services, and prison settings. The thesis concludes by arguing that this basically represents a failure in the institutional transplantation of ideas and systems that have not worked in the Pakistani context. The answer, it is suggested, is synthesis of ‘old’ and ‘new’ practices around the world—-.e. restorative justice or greater reliance upon practices that better coincide with the religious, cultural and normative codes of Pakistani society.
Problems and Prospects of Senior Citizens in Pakistan: A Case Study of the Punjab
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2015) Uzma Ashiq; Supervised by Prof. Dr Amir Zada Asad
Aging has become a global issue as the number of senior citizens is growing day by day. This number has increased due to various reasons and above all, it is the availability of health care and birth control medicines. These are the reasons which are distorting the pyramid of age among the different groups of the people, which results in the shrinkage of the population at lower levels and expansion at upper levels. This transition of population is challenging the economy of the states and generating social problems in both developed and developing countries with varying levels. Pakistan is one of the most-affected countries and its ranked is 89 as the World Watch Index (2013) showed. It is the third highest old-age populated country with huge psycho-social and economic problems. There was a time when traditional structure of family was supportive to senior citizens, but changing values and socioeconomic dynamics have changed the vise versa. The statistics indicate that labor force is decreasing as compared to dependent class. The situation in Pakistan is not promising as the proper strategies and policies are not in practice to address the social adjustment and well-being of the senior citizens. To know the facts that how this situation is creating socioeconomic problems among the senior citizens and causing psycho-social problem after all, this study was designed to explore the accurate status and intensity of the problem in Pakistan, in general and in the Punjab province in particular. To explore the phenomenon, the study has applied different methods and tools to collect and analyze the data. The focus of the study was 212 (62) inmates from old homes, 50 senior citizens living with the family, 40 senior citizens, i.e.10 pensioners, 10 irregular physical laborers or daily wagers, 10 laborers in private industries on daily wage basis and 10 beggars/destitute persons. A preliminary study was conducted with experts and in the light of these results reduced from the expert’s opinion, the further four tools (structured interview schedule) were developed. The data were analyzed using manual and SPSS techniques as well. The results show that this is a very speedily spreading phenomenon in Pakistan but still neglected by the Government and private sectors. Major findings have shown that the senior citizens facing more economic problems in family life, but less social isolation as compared to the senior citizens living in old homes. Families are facing serious economic stress in taking care of senior citizens. The main reasons have been found were the lack of proper policy and its implementation by the government.
Causative Factors of Mental Retardation
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2002) Monica Qamar Zaman; Supervised by Prof. Dr Sarah Safdar
lhe study “Causative factors of Mental Retardation” focuses on the children with mental disabilities. Any disability or abnormality is a great problem for the disabled and for his/her family. The area of study was limited to the Mental Retardation Center, Complex for Special Education, Balochistan, Complex for Special Education, Hayatabad, Peshawar & Sarhad School for Rehabilitation of Disabled, Peshawar Objectives 1. To study the extent of congenital causes of mental retardation. 2. To study the environmental factors affecting the development of the mentally retarded. 3. Endogamyasa social factor to mental retardation. 4. Attitude of neighbors and other family members to the retarded child. Mental retardation involves a general delay in the development of intellectual and adoptive abilities and affects most areas of social cognitive and language functioning. Mental retardation is generally assessed by a combination oftesting on formal tests of intelligence and by observation of the child’s adoptive functioning. The levels and 1.Q scores of retardation are as Mild in between 5570, Moderate 40-54, severe, 23-39, profound below 25 (Bniot Scale). For this research, Sarhad Model School for Special Education and Complex for Special Education, Hayatabad Peshawar was selected from NWFP and Kiran Complex of Special Education School was selected from Baluchistan. All schools are under Federal Government. A total sample of 100 retarded children parents and their neighbors were selected for this research. Fifty Retarded children’s parents & 50 next-door neighbors of mental retarded child were selected from both provinces, to find out the main causative factors of mental retardation, and to know the societies mental approach i.e. their attitudes and their views about the retarded children. Mental retardation is a term, which covers all forms of less than normalintellectual functioning. (S. M. Bhatia, 1992). 1 . Assumption was: Families with poor Economic conditions have mal — nourished and poorhealth of the expecting mothers, whichaffects the fetus’s mental and physical development. 2 . Assumption was: Stress and strains on the expecting mothers affect the fetus and increases menta! retardation in newbornchildren. 3" Assumption was: Cousin marriages weaken the genes of couple andthey give birth to the mentally retarded children. Assumption No.4 was: Aged and physiological weak mothers give birth to mentally retarded children. From different research techniques interview technique was used for data collection. For pre-testing 10 interviews were taken, unnecessary things like repetition of questions and language ofthe interview schedule was checked,after interview schedule was improved. After data collection it was classified and tabulated. The main inferences were: •To knowthe causative factor of mental retardation. •To study the environmental factors affecting the development of the mentally retarded. • Endogamy as asocial factor to mental retardation. • Attitude of retarded child’s neighbor andhis family members.
Impediments to Social Re-integration of Women Returning to Shelter Homes: A Case Study of Punjab Province Pakistan
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2011) Raazia Hassan Naqvi; Supervised by Prof. Dr Basharat Hussain
Pakistani society is patriarchal and most women in Pakistan experience various and multiple types of violence throughout their lives. Leaving an abusive relationship is a difficult decision for women and sometimes multiple attempts are made to leave the household. This study uses a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews to study the experiences of 57 women who had returned to shelter homes in eight districts of the Punjab province, Pakistan after attempting re-integration into their communities. Focus group discussions (FGDs) with 34 service providers of shelter homes were conducted in five major districts of Punjab. The findings that emerged from the interviews and FGDs indicated that women faced abuse which was associated with individual, relationship and societal level factors. When women tried to re-integrate back into the communities they faced life threats, psychological abuse and legal consequences due to the stigma and honour issues associated with fleeing abuse to take refuge in shelter homes. The women in the study proposed various recommendations including the need for domestic violence legislation criminamlizing abuse. Recommendations of the study include developing campaigns to increase awareness of violence against women and women’s right as well as the need for education, skill training and income stability for women and counseling and follow up services at shelter homes for women shelter users.
Community Attitude Towards Females Education in NWFP
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan , 2006) Mamoon Khan Khattak; Supervised by Prof. Dr. Sahib Zari Rafiq
In the modern day world, the significance of females’ education has been realized to a greater extent than ever before. Females can play a vital role in the developmentof a nation, which is possible only through their sound education. Educated females may get good foresight and perception of the societal phenomena andcan playbetter reformatory role in the society. They can potentially involve themselves in nation building activities and can serve well in case of emergencies, and in this way they can be made active, useful and beneficial member of the society. Though the developmentis a multifactor phenomenon, howeverthe females education is one of the majorstrategies for achieving it. In North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan overall female literacy rate is 19%. It is because of the reason that NWFPhas a conservative society having strict and in-conducive cultural values, which has made the opportunities of education and developmentfor femalesas limited. The main objective of this study was to find out the community attitude,its underlying causes and the effects of the community attitude upon female education in this province. The main hypothesis developed for the subject study was that the community has negative attitude towards female education, which has negatively affected the female education in the region. Onthe basis of existing literature and general community view all around the world it was also assumed that all attitudes have certain inclinations, predisposition, feelings and beliefs. In this connection socio-cultural values were assumedto be the basic reasonsfor this negative attitude toward female education in such a culturally conservative region. The interview was used as a method ofdata collection. For this purpose an interview schedule was prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. It was close ended and comprised of78 questions. Before conductingthe interview, the purposeofthe study, its need and importance was briefly explained to the respondents. This study was conducted all around the NWFP, in both rural and urban areas. For the convenience, overall representation and uniformity of the results/findings, all the four administrative regions ofNWFP namely Southern, Northern, Central and Northwestern were included in the study. The sample size was selected proportionately from each region onthe basis of its population through various non-probability sampling techniques. Further, the respondents were males selected from the age group of 25 to 55 years and of married status, because this category was assumed to have a more influential role over females in the community. Total 600 respondents were thus interviewed. Standard statistical methods were applied for data analysis. The results ofthe study indicated that the hypotheses developed for the study were found as correct. The community was having negative attitude towards females’ education. It was notin favour ofeducating the females. The community’s such attitude has negatively effected the females’ education. The community due to different reasons did not wantto see the females as educated and empowered. The community wanted to preserve its values, and educating females was not a social value. The community was unwilling to change stereotypes prevailing in society, which has retarded females’ education. Due to stagnant values andattitudes, the social life of the community was ata standstill, rather than thinking oneself- it was subject to circumstances. Majority of the community people were contented on the absence of females education. As females education in virtue is to be supported by the community, while in actual the NWFP community has retarded females’ education. They did not want to change the present status of females. In short, the lack of females’ education was termed as natural and inevitable by the community. Yet this law is cited as “a natural law of society” to discourage sympathy for the unfortunate i.e. females. Even to talk about females education was perceived as to stir-up trouble. The community’s negative attitude and in-cooperation with females’ educational implementers has served as a cause for retarding the process of females’ education promotion. The educational implementers have faced problems due to un-consideration of the social factors of the respective community while working on females” education. The community people did not want to change the values, which their elders have practiced. The religion-Islam was madea gratuitous source of exploiting females’ rights especially for education. The females’ roles in the society were restricted i.e. the femalesdo not have economic/job opportunities so the community thought that the females need not to be educated. The community people have feared that the females’ honour will not be secure ifthey go out oftheir homes for acquiring education. The community perceived females as deficient as compared to males in terms ofpsychosocial characteristics. The rural and the urban community have had a difference in their attitudes toward females’ education. But this was also fact that this difference was more ofnumber,less of kind. The rural community has shown comparatively added number of respondents for negative attitude towards females’ education. They have a lesser amountofrealization for importanceoftheir involvement and cooperation for promotion offemales’ education. They perceived that females could never play the roles, which the males were playing in the society. In both the communities the females due to low literacy level have assumed a lower socioeconomic status, while in the rural community the situation was more miserable of females. The society’s cultural element of females’ psychosocial deficiency was of disadvantage for females and through this the females were disadvantaged educationally, culturally, economically, politically, religiously and socially. It is fact that through the process education the individuals are not only educated but are also empowered and gain sense of independence. Whereas, the majority of femalesare illiterate in our society and this low literacy level was one of the major causes for their low socioeconomic status in the society. There was a distinct gap in socioeconomic status of males and females where the females were at disfavour. The “Karl Marx’s- The Deficient Feminine Nature Theory” which served as theoretical framework of research, was also tested forits validity through findings of the research study. It has been proved as a correct explanation of community’s discriminatory attitude towards females and their education, in the context ofNWFP community. A new theory was generated which was titled as “The Dismal Circle of Femaleism” which has advanced the ideas given in the Karl Marx’s above said theory. Based on the findings of this research study, suggestions are provided that how the community’s attitude can be made positive and participatory for promotion of female education in NWFP and in the likely communities
Problems and Prospects of Primary Health Care Services in District Mardan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2006) Muhammad Ibrar; Supervised by Prof. Dr Sarah Safdar
Health is the top most priority in every individual’s life. Good health accelerates human efficiency and the development procedure, and as a fundamental human right it should be accessible and reachable to all. According to World Health Organization’s definition, “Health of an individual or community is not only concerned with physical or mental state but also an individual’s economic and social wellbeing.” The research in hand focused on the Primary Health Care Services provided by the Basic Health Units in Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. The objectives of the study were:  to assess the health care services provided by the BHUs and  to find out the hurdles in the way of service delivery for the management of the BHUs. The universe of the study was District Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. The sample of the study was selected by multi-stage cluster sampling techniques. The findings highlighted that most of the young people especially women goes to these BHUs for mostly cough and flu or gynecological problems, while mostly men of the area prefer to go to private clinics. The older women cannot go to the BHUs because they have difficulty in reaching these BHUs which are located far away from their houses and the transport is not available for them in the area. Most of the beneficiaries of the BHUs complained of low quality medicine, no waiting area for the patients and attendants, and lack of LHVs or LHWs home visits in the periphery. While the staff of BHUs who were mostly doctors complained of low salary, lack of facilities provided by government and security threat in performing their duties especially for polio vaccine.
THE ROLE OF FORMAL EDUCATION IN THE ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY IN KHYBER PAKHUNKHWA: (A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Province of Pakistan)
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2006) Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan; Supervised by Prof. Dr.Sahib Zari Rafiq
This study: ‘The role of formal education in alleviation of poverty is a case study of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa’. It is a comparative study of literate and illiterate respondents from slum areas of KP which evaluates the role of formal education in poverty alleviation by comparing the socio-economic status of both types of respondents, their personal views and thinking, their involvement in decision making process, their importance or triviality in the family and their participation in community matters. This research study develops an understanding of the educational benefits and human capital approach that can be used to enhance literacy for people especially for poor. The research is based on the importance of education in promoting free education as a constitutional right by comparing the socio-economic status and other contributing factors of literate and illiterate respondents. As a way of determining the benefits of education can offer. The main objectives of this research were to study illiteracy as cause of poverty, the causal link of education and poverty alleviation, its impact on the socio-economic status and comparison of literate and illiterate respondents with their views about availability of free education in KP province. The major hypothesis developed for this study was that higher literacy rate among people has greater potentials to combat poverty. For this purpose an interview schedule was drafted in accordance with research study objectives. The interview schedule consisting of sixty five questions was used as a tool to get information from the respondents. Eight hundred respondents i.e. four hundred illiterate and four hundred literate respondents (who were basically from the same slum areas but their socio-economic status improved as a result of education) were selected according to Warwick P.D and Linger C.A (1975, pp 69110) formula f = n / N through various sampling techniques the details of which have been given in chapter-3 of Research Design. The data collected was analyzed and tabulated and standard statistical tests of significance were used. The results were collected through a series of phases delivered across both types of respondents studied. These being: total monthly income, number of children, affordability of different types of diet and health and education services, point of views about importance of education, benefits of education, factors responsible for accelerating poverty and knowledge about free secondary education as a constitutional right and its availability for poor people. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the socio-economic status of literate and illiterate respondents; in order to understand if education impacts human poverty. Furthermore, education was investigated as a human capital approach to accelerating human knowledge and skills and raising earning outcomes in KP province. The results of the study supported the hypotheses of the study. The comparative status of both the literate and illiterate revealed that high percentage of literate respondents were in the high income groups. This positively affected their living conditions. Majority of them were now living in pucca/concrete houses. The study also revealed that various other indicators, such as access to different types of diets, affordability of medicines and quality medical care, children education, participation in family and community matters and development activities confirmed improvements in the socio-economic status of the literate respondents. While majority of the illiterate respondents were living in kacha/mud houses. During the process of this study, the researcher explored that largely due to illiteracy and poverty the illiterate respondents were unable to give education to their family members or children. Because they could not afford the cost of education and the family members were compelled to find some form of work to enhance their family’s incomes. Resultantly when such family members start practical life they are likely to form poor households because they lack sufficient income earning capacity due to inadequate human capital which becomes a cause to perpetual transmission of poverty from one generation to the next. “Human Capital” theory served as a theoretical framework of the study was tested for its validity through findings of the research study. Based on the findings of the research study, the researcher offers some key workable recommendations and a new model for the improvement of existing formal education system, its relevance, effectiveness and access to free secondary education in the province.
The Changing Roles and Status of Women in Cholistan, Pakistan
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2015) Aisha Shoukat; Supervised by Professor Dr. Amir Zada Asad,
Social change is a natural and constant phenomenon. It also modifies function of social institutions with passage of time. Cholistan, a desert of the south west Asia, is socially and economically backward area lacking basic amenities of life. Despite of its aloofness, it has witnessed change in socio-economic roles of women. The present study “The Changing Roles and Status of Women in Cholistan, Pakistan" was designed to investigate socio economic roles of women and assess the social change in their way of life for the last over four decades. For this purpose, ethnomethodology was employed selecting 50 elderly women through experience survey and purposive sampling method. Protracted qualitative interviews and participants‟ observation technique were used for data collection. Findings showed that women in Cholistan were playing significant role in functioning of social institutions such as marriage, family, religion, economy, education and health but neither visible nor counted. As a family member, they were performing multifaceted jobs but household decision making rested in the hands of men. Marriage decision making rested with the elderly men of the family and clan. Their role was expanding from household chores to livestock care and wage labourer. They were contributing in economic activities without becoming owner of wealth and property. Women were dependent on men for knowledge and practice of religion. Women were informally educating next generation about survival skills in Cholistan and now few were getting education themselves unlike forty years back. In case of health, still problems were faced by them and were mostly dependent on home based remedies, shrines, spiritual healing and holy saying. The major change for them was the introduction of the new reproductive health facilities to some extent but they could not avail them due to cultural impediments and conservatism. The study concluded that women were living under miserable conditions due to non-recognition of their role and poor social status but rays of hope of their development also shine. With increased awareness, women were getting empowered in Cholistan as compared to past. The study suggested that availability of social services through social institutions can induce major changes in the lives of women in the Cholistan and this Pakistani experience can be a harbinger for other countries against the myth of desertification.
Mental Health Problems of the Elderly: A Study of The Urban and Rural Central Punjab (Pakistan)
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2015) Aaqib Shahzad Alvi; Supervised by Prof. Dr. Sarah Safdar
This study examined the frequency of mental health problems in a sample of 624 community dwelling individuals in the age group of 60 and above residing in Central Punjab, Pakistan. The aim of current study was three fold, to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems gender and community wise, to determine the risk factors associated with mental health problems and to analyze the coping mechanism of elderly people when they encounter problematic situation. Moreover, it also focused on the family attitude towards elderly. An interview schedule was developed to collect the primary data. In addition, SRQ-20 and GDS-15 were also used to determine the prevalence rate of mental health problems. Multistage sampling technique was applied. Results indicated a pervasive prevalence of mental health problems among elderly in Central Punjab. The gender wise percentage of mental health problems indicated variance i.e. mental health problems were more prevalent among female elderly as compared to their male counterparts. While a slight difference of prevalence of mental health problems between rural and urban community was also observed. Logistic regression analysis reported that financial support to family, educational status of family, undesirable events of life, undermining the sense of control, elderly abuse, feelings of discomfort at home, family behavior, age and sex of elderly were significantly linked with mental health problems of Pakistani elderly population. These significantly associated variables were found as the major risk factors of mental health problems. The results also indicated that the respondents who were economically dependent and did not have any source to support their families were two times more likely to report a mental health problem than those who have finances to support their families. It means that the financial dependency predominated other variables. Moreover, in case of problematic situation, elderly manifested three types of coping i.e. internalized negative assessment, inclination to withdraw and autonomic. Majority of elders were involved in emotional coping (internalized negative assessment, inclination to withdraw) rather than problem solving coping (autonomic). This study suggested estimates of elderly mental health problems in Pakistan are on the rise. It also highlighted the major risk factors and coping mechanism among elderly that pointed out the necessity of planning, legislating and establishing services network to meet elder persons’ mental health needs.
The Impact of Chitralese to Peshawar: A Sociological Analysis
(Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2014) Akhtar Ali; Supervised by Prof. Dr. Rashid Khan
The present study was carried out to look into the prospects of migration as phenomena from Chitral to Peshawar with the aim of improvement in livelihood through the study objectives, like assessing the socio-economic status of the migrants, studying migration in the perspective of its pull and push factors, the remittances received from these migrants and along with effects on the relative life standards through exploring the relationship between push and pull factors. All those working in the Chitrali market, Peshawar were the potential population of the study with association to their relatives back in Chitral. A sample size of 500 Chitralese (mostly workers and businessmen) as household heads, 250 each from Peshawar and Chitral were randomly selected from the total population of 5000. Data were collected through a well designed interview schedule while ensuring the incorporation of each aspect of the study. Frequency distributions were carried out to dig out the information in percentage while for ascertaining the relationship between dependent variables i.e. (Income and family size) were cross tabulated through association test (2) with the independent variables. The study found that majority i.e. (74.4%) respondents were from the joint family system with monthly income ranges from (10001–20000) constituted the majority i.e. (78.4%) respectively. At bi-variate level, pre-migration occupation, family size, purpose of spending money, comparison between present and previous job, reason of migration to Peshawar, reason of leaving native area, wife execution of responsibilities at home and development of new habits of the migrants at the point of destination were found significant (p < 0.05) with family type (dependent variable). Moreover, push factors, pull factors, monthly expenditure, saving, amount of money being spent were found significant (p < 0.05) with income (dependent variable). In addition, T-test statistics were also carried out to measure the pre and post migration effects. It was found that amount spent on health, housing conditions, education of children, household goods, using agricultural inputs, spending on daily use items, livestock, indoor recreational facilities, women education, income, fuel consumption, and telephone/ cell facilities were found highly significant (P = 0.000). The study concluded that people (migrants) had low income level at their native areas. Laborers were in abundance, as agriculture was the dominant profession. Formal education was of trivial nature while religious education in dominance was the most push factors. Upon the migration, migrants were found successful in enhancing their income, sending money (savings) to native areas. Remittances, received were contributing towards spending on children education, health and on over all improvement in the socio-economic profile of the respondents. Moreover, the income was found to be used for enhancement in educational excellence of the kids of migrants, along with structural modification in house construction and infra-structural development. In addition, only agricultural back at Chitral, migration made them exposed to joining new and innovative interventions in terms of jobs. Moreover, matriarchal traits were also discovered, where women were performing a leading role in the absence of males at their relative households. Based on the findings of the study, a well designed institutional mechanism of predicting and regulating the migration phenomena with sequential out-comes, designing a policy of development of the native areas in light of remittances received, while focusing on structural and functional growth of the area including construction of infrastructure facilities through provision of complete package were suggested as policy recommendations in light of the study.

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