https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2125 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:44:23 GMT 2026-04-09T13:44:23Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3950 Title: Psychological wellbeing of female refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp. Authors: Majoni, Annie Faith Abstract: Female refugees have been presented by many scholars as vulnerable to psychosocial problems during their journey to exile and upon resettlement where they would have sought sanctuary. The researcher is intrigued to employ a different perspective by researching on positive aspects of female refugees optimal functioning and their coping strategies amidst risk and protective factors to their psychological wellbeing. Psychological wellbeing will take an eclectic and ecological perspective in researching about refugees as a minority group. More so, the construct to be measured and assessed will borrow concepts and aspects of different fields of psychology. The researcher used a case study of randomly stratified sample of sixty (60) female refugees and purposively sampled thirty (30) female refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe. The transformative paradigm is used to quantify the nature of female refugees’ psychological wellbeing using Ryff’s 42-version psychological wellbeing scale whilst a semi-structured interview qualifies the risk factors, protective factors and coping mechanisms of female refugees in the camp. Collected data is presented using charts and graphs while descriptive statistical and thematic analysis are employed. The results from the participants reveal that female refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp have poor psychological wellbeing. Protective factors to the psychological wellbeing of female refugees in the camp included, social capital, social support systems, vocational training, and entrepreneurship. The risk factors that women face in the camp were financial and environmental insecurities, patriarchy, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), poverty, stigma and discrimination, lack of legal recommendation and documentation, re-traumatization and pessimism. The researcher recommends participatory approaches to interventions given to refugees, legal recognition, educate them using their vernacular language as the language of instruction, empower women through protection from competent law enforcement agencies and for researchers to carry out studies on male refugees and employees working with female refugees. Most importantly researcher recommends the camp administrator to work with professional boards of psychology such that psychological services given to female refugees and employees working directly with them will not be done by paraprofessionals but with competent psychologists. Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3950 2019-10-01T00:00:00Z Majoni, Annie Faith https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3928 Title: Exploring social capital, an investment to psychological well- being and community mental health among young adults in Mpopoma- Bulawayo Authors: Sibanda, Theresi Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore how social capital can be used to promote psychological well being and community mental health. The study sort to establish how sense of community, collective efficacy, neighbouring and citizen participation which are the main variables of social capital impact on psychological well being and community mental health as measured among young adults in Mpopoma- Bulawayo. The rationale for the study was based on the observation that there was a high treatment gap, low identification of mental health problems and one treatment pathway drawn from the physiological perspectives. The main factor which seems to be the overall cause of these shortcomings has been largely attributed to low levels of mental health literacy and that there are no effective psychosocial well-being strategies across the ecological levels in the community. The significance of this study was to enable the creation of several pathways to addressing the social determinants of pathology among individuals and community to appreciate and implement effective well being strategies. Previous studies on social capital focused on the individual attributes of social capital in relation to individual well being. However, new trends in psychological well being and community mental health are directed towards social prescription, moving away from blaming the victim to strength based approaches with much emphasis being given to positive psychology. This study was mixed in nature (Quan-qual) in nature; non stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used in sampling respondents. The researcher used the scores from the standardized Social Capital Cohesion Scale (SCCS), which had an estimated an internal item correlation coefficients of the translated scales and a Cronbach alpha of (á=0.70). The major finding of this investigation was that social capital if properly and effectively utilized can have a strong impact on psychologically well being community mental health. The researcher therefore recommends the activation of social capital enabling policies across the community ecological levels for implementation of psychosocial interventions in addressing psychological well being and community mental health. Beyond this study the researcher recommends that a larger sample and various communities be used in order for the results to be effectively generalized. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3928 2017-12-01T00:00:00Z Sibanda, Theresi https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3757 Title: Resilience in nursing: the lived experiences of mental health and casualty nurses who return to the workplace after being assaulted by patients at Gweru provincial hospital Authors: Mambende, Sheila Abstract: Nurses in the hospital setting are the frontline staff caring for patients. Despite the high incidents of violence directed at the mental health and casualty nurses while on duty, there is limited qualitative data that explores the lived experience of returning to the workplace after an assaultive incident. This phenomenological study sought to explore and analyze the phenomenon of registered nurses who are employed in high risk settings at Gweru provincial Hospital. The research questions considered the detailed descriptions of the lived experiences of the nurses when returning to the workplace after assaults. The theoretical framework of shame resilience was used as the participants continued to survive and thrive after the adverse assaultive events. Data was collected using in-depth interviews from purposeful sampling. Nine registered nurses working in the high risk areas of mental health and casualty departments provided detailed descriptions about the phenomena. Data management was an inductive iterative analysis completed and facilitated by the use of NVivo10 software program. The study found out that participants had a brief emotional response post assault mitigated by the community of nursing personnel from their immediate surroundings and felt that assault was “part of the job”. Providing a true culture of safety would include enhancements to the internal community of bedside nursing practice. In addition research is needed interventions that can effectively enhance the internal community after assault by patients. This study contributes to positive social change by providing registered nurses, an oppressed group, a voice to mitigate negative consequences associated with assault in the hospital setting. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3757 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z Mambende, Sheila https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3705 Title: Prevalence and determinants of common mental disorder risk and depression among women: case of Psycook Authors: Mapuke, Fatima Abstract: Women deal with a certain level of mental stress which puts them at risk of Common Mental Disorders (CMD), particularly depression. In Zimbabwe, mental distress goes unnoticed and undiagnosed due to the current huge mental treatment gap in the nation. This study sought to identify the prevalence of CMD risk and depression as well as their determinants among women who attended a mental health communication program in Harare Central Province named Psycook. A total population sample of 140 women aged between 18 and 63 years, were investigated via a survey based, non-experimental descriptive research design. The research instrument comprising of SSQ-14 to determine CMD risk, PHQ-9 to screen for depression, and SPLQ-14 to assess for determinants was distributed. A total of (n=138) questionnaires were returned and analyzed using SPSS and STATA to provide descriptive and inferential statistics. A CMD risk prevalence of 39.9% and a depression prevalence of 29% were recorded. Age (P=0.02), relationship problems (P=0.00); interpersonal deficits (P=0.01); and sexual problems (P=0.01) were found to be strong influencers of CMD and/or depression. Money problems was the most mentioned problem; however, its ubiquitous presence did not have any significant impact on the women’s mental wellbeing. These findings, being community based, carry potentially previously unrecognized CMD and depression prevalence indicating underdiagnosis where the high rates are likely to be driven by two main factors. Firstly, compared to developed and western societies, women in Zimbabwe are more likely to attribute mental illness to spiritual and personally controllable factors creating a stigma filled environment for sufferers. Secondly, the high treatment gap caused by the scarcity of mental health care providers leaves many with little or no knowledge of mental illnesses hence instead of seeking psychological help most present with somatic symptoms increasing the likelihood of CMD and depression going undetected. Future interventions to address CMD risk and depression will do well by focusing on other communities especially rural communities to address underdiagnosis as well as to investigate relational issues among women. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3705 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Mapuke, Fatima