School of Psychology (SPsy.) Collections

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    Social support, resilience, and psychological well-being among postgraduate students of Makerere University
    (Makerere University, 2025) Katumba, Philimon
    Postgraduate education is often marked by intense academic demands and personal stress, placing students at risk for poor psychological well-being. This study investigated the relationship between social support, resilience, and psychological well-being among postgraduate students, with a specific focus on the moderating role of resilience. A crosssectional research design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of 356 postgraduate students drawn from the ten colleges of Makerere University using cluster sampling. Standardized self-report questionnaires were used to measure the study variables. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic information and variable distributions. To address the first three objectives, Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among social support, resilience, and psychological well-being. To address the fourth objective, PROCESS Macro moderation analysis was used to test the interaction effect of resilience on the relationship between social support and psychological well-being. The results showed that both social support and resilience were significantly and positively associated with psychological well-being. Furthermore, resilience significantly moderated the relationship between social support and psychological well-being, such that the effect of social support on well-being was stronger among students with higher resilience levels. These findings indicate that resilience enhances the protective benefits of social support in promoting mental health. The study highlights the importance of strengthening both external and internal resources among postgraduate students. It recommends that universities integrate resilience-building interventions within student support programs to enhance coping and psychological well-being in the face of academic and personal challenge Keyword: Psychological well-being
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    Partner cohesion, perceived social support and adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Couples Living with HIV at Lira Regional Referral Hospital
    (Makerere University, 2025) Aporo, Sarah
    The purpose of this study was to examine how Partner Cohesion and Perceived Social Support influence adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Couples Living with HIV at Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH). The study was guided by three objectives which were; examining the relationship between Partner cohesion and adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Couples Living with HIV at LRRH; assessing the relationship between perceived social support and adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Couples Living with HIV at LRRH; and establishing the interactive effect of Partner cohesion and perceived social support on adherence to ART among couples living with HIV at LRRH. The study employed a cross sectional research design where data was collected using a questionnaire administered to 165 adult males and females who were cohabiting or married with the age above 18 years seeking medical attention at LRRH and who have been on ART for at least two years. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Spearman ‘s correlation analysis results revealed that couples with higher levels of cohesion are more likely to adhere to ART regimens (r=0.53**, p<0.01) thus having a supportive partner has been linked to better health outcomes and higher adherence rates compared to individuals without such support. Also, individuals who perceive higher levels of Perceived social support may tend to have better adherence to ART (r=0.55**, p<0.01). Partner cohesion predicts adherence to ART. Where Partner cohesion had an effect on adherence to ART (Wald=1.310, Exp(B)=2.152, 95% C.I.for EXP(B)=0.579 and 7.990) with each unit increase associated with a 7.66% increase in odds of adherence to ART while Perceived social support has a statistically significant effect on adherence to ART (Wald=10.394, Exp(B)=8.902, 95% C.I.for EXP(B)=2.356 and 33.630) with each unit increase associated with a 21.86% increase in chances (odds) of adherence to ART. The findings in this study reveal that perceived social support is a key factor that determines adherence to ART. The study therefore recommends that couples ensure they have effective communication, have supportive friends, share common goals and values, have supportive families among others to enhance perceived social support. Keywords: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Lira Regional Referral Hospital
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    Lived experiences of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Kampala, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Busingye, Olivia
    Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in Uganda, with women often diagnosed at advanced stages and experiencing significant psychological, emotional, and social challenges. This study explored the lived experiences of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Kampala District. A qualitative approach was adopted, specifically using a phenomenological research design. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 12 women aged 25–54 who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer within the past five years. Data was collected using in-depth interviews and analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis revealed key findings presented in themes: Initial Responses to diagnosis, Emotional Turmoil, Identity Crisis, Stigma, Social dynamic changes, Initial Perceptions, Empowerment through learning, Coping Mechanisms and Sources of Strength, Strengthening Health System Response and Structural and Financial Barriers in Healthcare. Findings revealed that women diagnosed with cervical cancer experience a complex interplay of emotional distress, social stigma, and shifting family dynamics. Despite these challenges, many relied on spirituality, family, and peer support to cope. The study underscores the need for culturally sensitive, holistic, and patient-centered interventions such as psychosocial counseling, financial and social support, clear patient education, and compassionate communication to improve the care and quality of life of women living with cervical cancer.
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    Practitioner user views on digital mental health interventions among individuals diagnosed with neurocognitive deficits
    (Makerere University, 2025) Gumisiriza, Chris Makanga
    This chapter provides background information, highlights the gap in existing knowledge, the problem and the potential impact of the research undertaking, setting the context for the study. It also establishes the study’s purpose, significance, relevance and potential contributions to the field. Furthermore, key terms and scope of the study are outlined and defined, helping the reader understand the subsequent chapters, aiming to inform the reader and provide a rationale for the study. Neurocognitive functioning is an important factor in determining individual well being and quality of life. However, as the global population ages, the prevalence of neurocognitive disorders is on the increase with as much as 30 percent of the population by age 85 and believed to affect between 2 and 10 percent of 65-year-plus-olds. The number of individuals diagnosed doubles every 20 years and it is projected that by 2050, it will reach over 115 million worldwide (Mucic, Shore & Hilty, 2023). There is need for early identification of vulnerable individuals, understanding their deficit trajectory and effective treatments/ interventions (Raftree, 2023; Robledo-castro et al., 2023). In the use of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), there is a convergence of digital technologies with mental/ behavioural health services. They have been developed to fill a gap in healthcare for people who need mental wellbeing support services which psychological treatment they may otherwise not receive. Identifying service users early in the course of a disorder associated with neurocognitive deficits can improve the opportunity to develop effective interventions to change the course of decline (Timakum, Xie & Song, 2022) and new intervention models could lead to better engagement and ultimately better outcomes (Cross & Alvarez-Jimenez, 2024). Keywords: Digital mental health, Neurocognitive deficits
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    Organisational culture orientation, psychological empowerment and employee engagement among employees of National Water and Sewerage Corporation
    (Makerere University, 2025) Masika, Ritah
    Employee engagement, psychological empowerment and organisational culture are important for determining organisational success and effectiveness. It is therefore important for management to understand the culture, engagement and empowerment levels of their employees. This study examined the relationship between organisational culture orientation (OCO) and psychological empowerment (PE), employee engagement (EE), and examined the mediating effect of psychological empowerment on the relationship between organisational culture orientation and employee engagement of National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC). The study adopted correlational cross-sectional survey design research on a random sample of 136 respondents from 5 branches of NWSC. The study computed correlations between organisational culture orientation, psychological empowerment, and employee engagement. The study adopted the Baron and Kenny Three Step Mediation Model to test the mediating effect of psychological empowerment on the relationship between organisational culture orientation and employee engagement. Findings revealed that the correlation between organisational culture orientation and psychological empowerment was not statistically significant (r = 0.01, p > 0.01), while psychological empowerment positively and significantly correlated with Employee Engagement (r = 0.55, p > 0.01). organisational culture orientation positively and significantly correlated with employee engagement (r =0.21, p>0.01). Psychological empowerment had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between organisational culture orientation and employee engagement. In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between psychological empowerment and employee engagement, organisational culture orientation and employee engagement of NWSC. Psychological empowerment partially mediates the relationship between organisational culture orientation and employee engagement. There is need to strengthen the psychological empowerment so as to influence both organisational culture orientation and employee engagement. Therefore, NWSC management should invest in strategies that enhance employee engagement to foster a more engaged workforce and a stronger organisational culture orientation.