DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURAL CONNECTIVITY: CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE AND POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE STATES INVOLVED

Belt and Road initiative (BRI) is the revival of the ancient Silk Road. From the historical analysis of the ancient Silk Road, it could be easily understood that nations around the Silk Road have cultural assimilation fostering mutual cohesion. In this context, BRI was proposed by the Xi Jinping administration, which provides a ground for a very old idea of bringing Eurasians under the development phenomenon for achieving common economic growth goals. Indeed, BRI is not only initiated to promote trade, but it will also increase multidimensional cooperation among nations, such as a cultural and educational exchange. It will bring closer not only the regional countries but even the continents to each other. Moreover, BRI will bring new enthusiasm to the old idea, and provides grounds for development and achieving common goals between the states. BRI is deemed to be a game changer for the states involved and China itself.

WORK RELATED ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND STRESS LEVELS IN CABIN CREW OF PRIVATE AIRLINES OF PAKISTAN

This study aims to investigate the levels of work-related depression, anxiety, and stress among cabin crew members of private airlines in Pakistan. The objective is to examine the association between various risk factors such as working hours, working experience, marital status, and income with depression, anxiety, and stress. The study tests both null and alternative hypotheses to explore the presence or absence of associations between these factors. The study utilized the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) to assess the mental health outcomes of cabin crew members. The findings indicate that a significant percentage of respondents experience varying degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress. Comparisons with existing literature support the notion of higher rates of mental health problems among cabin crew members. The study also investigated the relationship between age, educational background, marital duration, parental status, family system, employment status, income, and working hours with mental health outcomes. The results revealed that younger crew members, those with higher education, shorter marital duration, parents, individuals in joint family systems, lower-ranking employees, and lower-income individuals tend to experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Analysis further confirmed that higher income levels were associated with lower levels of anxiety and stress. Additionally, longer working hours were positively associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among newly recruited cabin crew members. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mental health challenges faced by cabin crew members and emphasize the need for supportive interventions within the industry. The results highlight the importance of addressing risk factors and implementing measures to improve the well-being of cabin crew members. By recognizing and addressing these mental health issues, airlines can create a healthier and more supportive work environment for their employees.