Background The study explores the challenges and threats young doctors in Pakistan working frontline toward the pandemic face, and how it translates into their personal and social lives. Methods Thirteen resident doctors working frontline with COVID-19 cases were approached and interviewed in-depth until the point of data saturation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used as a method for analysis. Results Four themes emerged in the analysis: pandemic anxiety, organizational lack of readiness for change, impact on interpersonal relationships, and commitment to service. Young doctors experienced psychological distress, and emotional vulnerability due to the challenges and concerns faced by them in the wake of COVID-19. Shortage and excessive reuse of personal protective equipment, direct exposure to the disease, concern for personal safety, fear and apprehension of being a probable disease carrier for families, physical distancing from loved ones, long working hours, and increased organizational responsibility altered the quality of life for doctors working frontline toward pandemic in COVID wards. Doctors who received appreciation and support by families reported improved filial bonds. Conclusion The adverse effect on psychological health, personal and social life, and increased professional demands have been some of the major challenges and threats faced by young doctors working frontline toward the pandemic. However, unconditional love and support from family and community has proven to reduce pandemic anxiety among doctors. Furthermore, the sense of compassion and the satisfaction in service to community has kept doctors devoted to fight against pandemic 2020.

Depression is an incapacitating mood disorder that is present among 20 million Pakistanis. About 3.4% of annual deaths in Pakistan are due to depression. CBT has been proven a successful treatment module for depression in Pakistan. However, whether individual therapist-guided internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) practiced widely during the pandemic COVID-19 has been effective remains unclear. It was during this time that the educational institutions and government hospitals of Pakistan widely experienced tele-psychotherapy. Therefore, to generate evidence on the efficacy of iCBT and to maximize the benefits of adopting it, the present study was carried out. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from N=10 participants (5=Therapists, 5=Clients) experiencing iCBT via Zoom. The data was coded using NVivo software version 12 pro. An inductive approach to thematic analysis was used to form meaningful themes and subthemes. Analysis resulted into two major themes – (1) Similarities in Perspective of Therapists & Clients, consisting of three subthemes: (a) Clinical Efficacy of iCBT, (b) Ease of Use & Perceived Usefulness of iCBT, and (c) Additional Therapist Support & Extra-Therapeutic Influence; (2) Differences in Perspective of Therapists & Clients, consisting of two subthemes (a) Therapy Environment (b) Structure of Therapy. It was concluded that individual therapist-guided iCBT was experienced as effective by both therapists and clients. It was suggested that large scale experimental studies on iCBT be carried out in future to quantitatively test the efficacy of iCBT. The perceived benefits attached with tele-practice must be maximized to reduce disease burden and fill mental health treatment gap.

The Coronavirus Disease brought forth many novel experiences for the world. Everyone experienced lock downs, physical distancing, social isolation, and a lot more. During this time of great distress, psychologists worldwide, played a very significant role by readily offering their services online. However, this sudden and abrupt shift from in-person practice to tele-practice required psychologists to understand and acquire Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAO) based competencies for effective job performance using telecommunication technologies. A mixed method research design was used. The study was divided into two interlinked qualitative and quantitative phases. In Phase I, a deductive thematic approach was used with pre-determined theory-based major themes, namely, “Knowledge about tele-counseling, Tele-counseling skills, Abilities, and Other characteristics”. Data was collected from N=9 (M=4, F=5) practicing psychologists, mean age (M= 29; SD=3.13) years based on criterion sampling strategy. Semi-structured interviews over Google Meet were conducted to gather data on relevant themes. In phase 2, based on the findings of phase 1 and literature, a researcher-generated 42-item survey questionnaire focusing on four major domains of KSAO competency model for Tele-counseling. This 5-point Likert rating questionnaire was disseminated online via university based educational groups and through personal contacts to students in training and early career professionals. Using convenient sampling strategy, data was collected from N=200 participants (M=37, F=163), mean age (M=26.13; SD=3.49). Descriptive analyses were run. Participant’s agreement on each item in terms of percentiles were established to understand the significance of factors within the domain of KSAO framework. Results of the study showed which knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics were relevant and significant in developing competency for effective practice-based delivery of Tele-counseling. This study formulates groundwork for subsequent establishment of professional standards of tele-counseling practice in Pakistan, as well as, for competency in tele-counseling practice, job recruitments, trainings, and career development.

Sex is a basic human need. However, sex before and outside of marriage is considered a major sin in Islam and is socially, culturally and lawfully disdained in Pakistan. Human Rights Watch (2016) has reported 1096 honor killings for year 2015 alone based on these matters. Despite such alarming realities, incidents of premarital sex taking place seem to be on rise. To understand why young males engage in consensual premarital sex, qualitative research design was used. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out till the point of saturation from N=8 male participants through snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria for a participant was being a heterosexual male aged between 18-35 years (Petry, 2002) having a consensual premarital penile-vaginal sexual experience. An exclusion criterion was being married, being bisexual or homosexual, or having only experienced oral or anal sex or sex against the will of a partner. All study participants had university education and belonged to middle or upper socioeconomic status. Following a constructivist paradigm, thematic analysis was used to make sense of the data using an inductive approach. Six main themes emerged were: (1) Early introduction to sex, (2) Sex related factors, (3) Psychological needs, (4) Sex for social gains (5) Personal norms towards premarital sex, and (6) Availability of opportunity for sex. Sexual activity which was a taboo to be talked about openly, in our society, is becoming increasingly common now. Newer generations due to an inappropriate and early exposure to sexualized content, easy access and availability of resources, opportunity and a much greater sense of independence are greatly involving in sexual activities. Young males have not only become more acceptable and permissive of premarital sex, but also, more promiscuous. Understanding the reasons for premarital sex can help curb this vice in our society.