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ItemPost-traumatic stress disorder and pain severity among victims of motor vehicle accidents: the moderating role of patient-care giver interaction(Makerere University, 2025)Road traffic accidents represent a critical global health challenge, with survivors experiencing both physical injuries and psychological trauma that significantly impair recovery and quality of life. This study examined the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain severity among motor vehicle accident victims, with particular focus on whether patient-caregiver interaction quality moderates this relationship. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational design was employed with 205 road traffic accident survivors recruited from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Pearson correlation analyses revealed significant positive relationships between pain severity and PTSD symptoms: pain severity was moderately correlated with PTSD intrusion (r = .538, p < .001), weakly correlated with PTSD hypervigilance (r = .374, p < .001), and moderately correlated with overall PTSD severity (r = .519, p < .001), indicating that higher pain levels were consistently associated with greater PTSD symptomatology. Patientcaregiver interaction quality demonstrated significant negative correlations with both pain severity (r = -.298, p < .001) and PTSD symptoms, including intrusion (r = -.485, p < .001), hypervigilance (r = -.357, p < .001), and overall PTSD (r = -.373, p < .001), suggesting that higher quality caregiver interactions were associated with reduced pain and lower PTSD symptom severity. However, moderation analysis revealed that patient-caregiver interaction did not significantly moderate the PTSD and pain severity relationship (B = 0.00, SE = 0.00, t = 1.39, p = .17). Findings indicate that while high-quality caregiver interactions independently reduce both pain severity and PTSD symptoms among accident survivors, they do not buffer the direct PTSD and pain severity relationship. The study therefore recommends to include implementation of trauma-focused therapies, that would enhance caregiver education programs to optimize their supportive role that influence recovery trajectories in this vulnerable population of RTA survivors.
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ItemOrganizational Justice, Employee Engagement and Intention to Quit: A Case of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development(Makerere University, 2026)The study examined the relationship between organizational justice, employee engagement and intention to quit among employees in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MoEMD). I specifically examined the relationship between organizational justice and employee engagement, organizational justice and intention, the effect of Employee Engagement on Intention to quit, and the mediation effect of Employee engagement on the relationship between organizational justice and intention to Quit among employees in the MoEMD. Stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data from 113 employees which was analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between organizational justice and employee engagement (r = 0.30, p < 0.001); a significant negative relationship between organizational justice and employee intention to quit (r = -. 30, p < 0.001), and a significant negative relationship between employee engagement and employee intention to quit (r = -0.44 , p <0.001). Finally, there was a partial mediation of employee engagement on the relationship between organizational justice and turnover intentions (SE = -.033, 95% CI [= -.072, -.009]). It was concluded that when employees perceive the organization as fair, they become more emotionally and cognitively engaged, which indirectly reduces their desire to leave. It was also recommended that Ministries’ top management ensure that policies for promotion, discipline, and allocation of resources are documented, accessible, and applied consistently to all staff.
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ItemAdolescent Experiences with Different Parenting Styles among High School Students in Mbale City, Northern Division: A Qualitative Study(Makerere University, 2026)This study explored adolescents’ lived experiences of different parenting styles among high school students in Mbale City, Northern Division, Uganda. The purpose was to understand how adolescents perceive parenting practices, identify the most commonly experienced parenting styles, and examine the challenges adolescents encounter in their interactions with parents. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to capture in-depth insights into participants’ experiences. Data were collected through two focus group discussions conducted with 12–16 students aged 13–19 years from two secondary schools in Mbale City. Findings revealed mixed levels of openness in parent–adolescent communication. While some participants described their parents as approachable and supportive, others reported limited emotional availability and restricted communication. Adolescents strongly valued both material provision (such as school fees and basic needs) and emotional support. Trust and autonomy emerged as central concerns, with many participants expressing frustration over perceived parental mistrust and excessive control. The most commonly reported parenting style was authoritarian, characterized by strict rules and disciplinary practices, although some participants noted a shift toward more supportive approaches as they grew older. The study concludes that parenting practices in this context are diverse and evolving, with a need to strengthen positive communication, trust, and emotional responsiveness. The findings underscore the importance of promoting authoritative parenting approaches and inform the development of school and community-based interventions aimed at enhancing adolescent wellbeing and family relationships.
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ItemDaily Stressors, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among Female Refugees in Omugo camp zone 3, West Nile Region, Uganda.(Makerere University, 2026)Ever since world war 11, the world is facing an increasing number of refugees each passing year. By 2023, there were 36.4 million refuges worldwide. Of these Uganda holds number at 1,434,708 million. Refugees are kept in camps where they are subjected to daily stressors and experience depression due to past experiences. This study aimed at examining the relationship of daily stressors, depression and suicidal ideation among female refugees in Omugo camp Zone 3, Terego District in Uganda. The study employed a quantitative cross section and correlational study of 377 participants systematic sampled. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) measured depression, the Checklist for Daily & Environmental Stressors measured daily stressors and the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory (PANSI) measured suicidal ideations. Data was analyzed using SPSS V25. Pearson’s correlations co-efficient and Baron and Kenny where used to test the hypothesis. Results revealed a statistical significance between daily stressors and depression (p < 0.001, r = -0.284), a statistical significance between daily stressors and suicidal ideations (p < 0.001, r = -0.252) and a statistical significance between depression and suicide ideations (p < 0.001, r = 0.345). The relationship between daily stressors and suicide ideation became was moderated by depression (p < 0.001, Coeff = -4.947). The study recommends a more personalized strategy to treat depression among refugees and a need to assess refugees grappling with depression and suicidal thoughts with respect to daily stressors since different refugees may interpret and respond to different daily stressors differently and be affected differently. Future research should focus how daily stressors can be used to reduce depression and suicidal thoughts.
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ItemOccupational stress, Coping strategies and Depression among nurses in Mulago National Referral Hospital.(Makerere University, 2026)Nurses are continually exposed to occupational stress and this often results in depression. The study examined the relationship between occupational stress, coping strategies and depression among nurses in Mulago National Referral Hospital. This study therefore examined the relationships between occupational stress, coping strategies, and depression among nurses at Mulago National Referral Hospital. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was employed. The study involved 277 nurses selected using random sampling from various hospital departments. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires, including the Nurses’ Occupational Stressor Scale (NOSS), the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Results indicated that workload was the most prominent source of occupational stress (mean = 16.98), while avoidance was the most frequently used coping strategy (mean = 22.08). Physical symptoms were the most prevalent manifestation of depression among nurses (mean = 6.68). Occupational stress was found to have a significant positive relationship with depression (r = 0.224, p < 0.001), and coping strategies were significantly related to depression (r = 0.201, p < 0.01). However, no significant relationship was found between occupational stress and coping strategies. Mediation analysis revealed that coping strategies did not significantly mediate the relationship between occupational stress and depression. These findings suggest that occupational stress exert a direct effect on depression, commonly used coping strategies insufficient in high-demand hospital settings. The study recommends institutions to focus on reducing workplace stressors, improving staffing levels, and strengthening mental health support services for nurses.