a) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the unorganized sector
This research was undertaken to form a supportive community during the difficult period of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. People who worked as migrants, daily wage laborers, musicians, chaat vendors or people who did not work in organized sectors were interviewed to understand their experience of the lockdown as it severely limited movement and access to resources. The research explored their experiences of anxiety around the uncertainty of the new disease. The research was done in collaboration with interns from MPhil. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from Ambedkar University Delhi. It also helped the students in understanding the struggles of entering and working in the social field as a site with many differences from their own lives especially in the difficult times of the pandemic. A compilation of the work contributed to a chapter in a book about psychological aspects of COVID 19. (See under ‘publications’ for details)
b) ‘Capacity Preserving’ for Effective Engagement in Social Work through Psychoanalysis
This pilot study was conducted with the purpose of studying the unconscious processes at play which influence effective engagement with the community in the work of social workers. To explore these aspects a specialized research methodology was created using the psychoanalytic and social work lenses, which was recognized and awarded by the International Psychoanalytic Association in 2021. Field workers, community workers working with non-profit organizations were the research participants. 20 social workers were interviewed using psychoanalytic qualitative research methods which included using in-depth interviews.
Based on the interviews, it was found that important unconscious factors were often left out during planning, need assessment and evaluating impact of community based interventions. After identifying pertinent themes, four modules were identified and developed which addressed the gaps found in the training programs. The modules are “Self and Mental Well-being”; “Effective Engagement in the Community”; “Reporting” and “Fantasies of Change and Transformation”.
c) Resilience in youth and adults from marginalized communities against discrimination stress
This ongoing research aims to study the impact of stress caused by discrimination and people’s unique ways of coping. Additionally, it will look at the individual’s unique ways of moving ahead and coping and functioning in their lives when faced with discrimination. Focus of this research is also to uncover systems which enable such resilience. The research will also explore how people understand and define resilience for themselves. The aim of this research is to develop mental health tools and sensitivity training material that would eventually help organizations and mental health professionals who wish to create a supportive environment by investing in reflection on one’s own prejudices. To gather information, youth from marginalized sections of society have been interviewed using psychoanalytic research methods.
