School of Psychology (SPsy.) Collections

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    The Effectiveness of Positive Psychology Interventions in Enhancing Self-Esteem and Psychological Well-Being among School -Going Adolescents in Kampala Slums
    (Makerere University, 2026) Namugenyi, Masitula
    Adolescents living in Kampala’s slum communities face chronic poverty, insecurity, overcrowding, and social marginalization, placing them at elevated risk for poor mental health and diminished psychological well-being. However, most mental health interventions in such settings remain deficit-oriented, with limited emphasis on strength-based approaches that promote psychological flourishing. This mixed-methods study examined the effectiveness of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) specifically resilience training, mindfulness practices, gratitude interventions, and character strengths identification in enhancing self esteem and psychological well-being among adolescents in Kampala’s slums, including Kagugube, Kisenyi, Nabutiti, Kanyogoga, Kikuba Mutwe, and Kamwokya. Guided by an explanatory sequential research design, quantitative data were collected from 424 adolescents (195 experimental group; 229 control group) across four time points using standardized measures of self-esteem, psychological well-being, positive and negative affect (PANAS), resilience, mindfulness, gratitude, and character strengths. For Hypotheses 1, 2, 3, and 4, multiple linear regression analysis was employed to examine the predictive effects of positive psychology intervention components on self-esteem and psychological well-being among school-going adolescents in Kampala slums. Longitudinal data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and multilevel growth modeling to assess intervention effects over time while controlling for baseline differences and maturation effects. Results indicated that participation in the combined PPIs led to statistically significant improvements in self-esteem and psychological well-being compared to the control group. The intervention model accounted for a substantial proportion of variance in self-esteem (adjusted R² = .33, F = 123.46, p < .001) and psychological well-being (adjusted R² = .23, F = 14.20, p < .001). Additionally, the interventions significantly reduced negative affect (β = −0.49, p < .001) and increased positive affect over time. Among the intervention components, gratitude practices and character strengths identification emerged as the strongest independent predictors of positive psychological outcomes, while resilience and mindfulness demonstrated smaller but statistically significant effects. Qualitative data from 40 purposively selected school-going adolescents, obtained through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, corroborated the quantitative findings. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants reported enhanced self-worth, improved emotional regulation, stronger coping abilities, increased social confidence, and greater optimism, illuminating the psychological mechanisms underlying the observed statistical effects. Integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence, the study proposes the Pillars of Psychological Flourishing (PPF) Model as a culturally responsive and scalable framework for strengthening adolescent mental health in resource constrained urban environments. Overall, the findings provide robust empirical support for the effectiveness of Positive Psychology Interventions in enhancing self-esteem and psychological well-being among school -going adolescents in Kampala’s slums, and highlight their potential for integration into school-based and community mental health programs in similar low resource contexts.
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    Post-traumatic stress disorder and pain severity among victims of motor vehicle accidents: the moderating role of patient-care giver interaction
    (Makerere University, 2025) Nsubuga, Noah
    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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    Organizational Justice, Employee Engagement and Intention to Quit: A Case of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
    (Makerere University, 2026) Ouma, Wafula Harrison Kubengi
    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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    Adolescent Experiences with Different Parenting Styles among High School Students in Mbale City, Northern Division: A Qualitative Study
    (Makerere University, 2026) Naigogo, Christine
    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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    Daily Stressors, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among Female Refugees in Omugo camp zone 3, West Nile Region, Uganda.
    (Makerere University, 2026) Okori, Patrick
    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.