School of Social Sciences (SSS) Collection
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ItemPeer pressure, locus of control and substance abuse among adolescents in Skyland High School and Central College Bugiri - Bugiri District(Makerere University, 2026)This study examined the relationship between peer pressure, locus of control, and substance abuse among adolescents in Skyland High School and Central College Bugiri-Bugiri District, Uganda. The objectives were to examine the relationships between peer pressure and locus of control, locus of control and substance abuse, and peer pressure and substance abuse. A crosssectional correlational survey design was used. A sample of 88 adolescents, determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) framework and drawn from a population of 155 through stratified and simple random sampling, completed a structured self-administered questionnaire containing validated scales for the three variables, and all 88 questionnaires were returned (100% response rate). Data were analysed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics summarising respondents’ characteristics and Pearson’s correlation tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Peer pressure was moderately and positively related to locus of control (r = .456, p < .001), locus of control was strongly and positively related to substance abuse (r = .725, p < .001), and peer pressure was moderately and positively related to substance abuse (r = .412, p < .001). The study concluded that the three variables are significantly related, with locus of control most strongly related to substance abuse. Adolescents with a more external locus of control, and those more susceptible to peer pressure, reported higher substance abuse. It is recommended that schools and guidance and counselling departments strengthen adolescents’ sense of personal control and resistance to negative peer influence through life-skills, decision-making, and refusal-skills training, with support from parents and education authorities.
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ItemSelf esteem, depression and alcohol use among third year students doing social sciences at Makerere University(Makerere University, 2026)This study examined the relationship between self-esteem, depression, and alcohol use among third-year Social Science students at Makerere University. Existing literature has established that these three constructs are interconnected, with self-esteem widely reported to influence depression, and depression, in turn, hypothesized to drive alcohol use as a coping mechanism, yet limited empirical attention had been paid to this pathway within the Ugandan university context. A correlational research design was adopted, and data were collected from 144 third-year students at the School of Social Sciences using a self-administered questionnaire comprising the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficients to test the three research hypotheses. The findings revealed a very weak, statistically non-significant positive relationship between self-esteem and alcohol use (r = .095, p = .257), and a similarly weak, non-significant positive relationship between depression and alcohol use (r = .064, p = .449). A weak but statistically significant positive relationship was found between self-esteem and depression (r = .358, p < .001), although the direction ran counter to the predominantly inverse relationship reported in the literature. Overall, the hypothesized mediation pathway linking self-esteem to alcohol use through depression was not supported in this sample, suggesting that cultural, social, and religious factors may play a more proximal role in shaping alcohol use among Ugandan university students than individual psychological variables alone. The study recommends that university counselling services incorporate depression screening and culturally adapted self-esteem interventions, and that future research employ longitudinal designs and locally validated instruments
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ItemEffects of superstitions surrounding mental health disorders on help-seeking behavior among the youth of Kamwokya Parish II(Makerere University, 2025-08-21)This study investigated the effects of superstitions surrounding mental health disorders on help-seeking behaviors among youth in Kamwokya Parish II, Kampala, Uganda. The research aimed to explore prevalent superstitions, analyze their influence on choices for professional mental health services, and identify the roles of traditional and spiritual healers. Employing a qualitative research approach with a descriptive phenomenology design, the study utilized in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant guides. A total of 15 participants were involved: 10 youths (aged 18-30) who had personal or close observational experience with mental health disorders, and 5 key informants including mental health professionals, parents/caregivers, local leaders, and spiritual/traditional healers. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select participants, ensuring relevance to the study objectives and facilitating access to hard-to-reach populations. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that youth in Kamwokya Parish II predominantly attribute mental health disorders to supernatural causes such as witchcraft, ancestral punishment, and curses, leading to significant mistrust in biomedical treatments and a deep fear of social stigma. This resulted in considerable hesitation and delays in seeking professional mental health services, with a strong preference for culturally congruent traditional and spiritual healing modalities. Traditional healers and spiritual leaders played a pivotal role, offering accessible and affordable interventions like rituals, sacrifices, prayers, and exorcism, which were perceived as more aligned with the spiritual etiology of mental illness. Based on these findings, it's recommended that culturally sensitive community education campaigns be implemented to demystify mental illness, foster collaboration between formal healthcare providers and traditional/spiritual leaders to create referral pathways, and enhance the accessibility and affordability of youth-friendly mental health services. The conclusion emphasizes the profound impact of superstitions on help-seeking behaviors and the need for nuanced, integrated approaches to improve mental health outcomes among the youth in this community.
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ItemEconomic challenges faced by undergraduate first year social work students at Makerere University(Makerere University, 2026)Introduction: Access to higher education is a critical driver of socioeconomic advancement, yet first-year undergraduate students in Uganda, particularly those enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration program at Makerere University, face persistent economic hardships that undermine their academic success and personal well-being. Despite the existence of government sponsorship schemes, many students continue to struggle with unmet economic needs, including food, transport, accommodation and academic resources. This study aimed to explore the nature and extent of these economic challenges and assess their impact on students’ academic adjustment and daily survival. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 first-year Social Work students at Makerere University during the 2024/2025 academic year. Participants were selected using simple random sampling through the department’s official WhatsApp group. Data was collected using structured, self-administered questionnaires and analysed using Stata version 15.0. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations were used to summarize the findings. Additionally, qualitative insights were obtained through key informant interviews with a class coordinator and a university counsellor to contextualise the quantitative data. Results: The findings revealed that students faced significant financial constraints across multiple domains. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) reported occasionally skipping meals due to lack of money, while 34% consistently walked to campus to save on transport costs. A significant proportion (29%) lacked internet or data access for academic purposes. Academicrelated expenses were also a major concern, with 21% of students consistently struggling to pay tuition on time, 59% lacking textbooks or handouts, and an equal proportion not owning a laptop. Furthermore, 30% experienced difficulty accessing e-learning platforms. Accommodation challenges were pronounced with 56% finding hostel or rental fees unaffordable, 64% being required to pay rent in advance, and 46% incurring high transport costs due to distant housing. Quantitative data underscored the emotional toll of these challenges, including missed examinations, social isolation and in some cases, dropout due to tuition delays. Conclusion: First-year Social Work students at Makerere University face complex and interrelated economic challenges that significantly hinder their academic performance, mental health and overall university experience. These difficulties persist despite government sponsorship and highlight systemic gaps in student support. Addressing these barriers requires comprehensive institutional reforms, including flexible tuition payment policies, subsidized housing options, improved digital access, and expanded welfare services. Such interventions are essential to fostering equity, retention and academic success among vulnerable student populations.
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