Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39752353›Full record

ArticlePLOS global public health2025

Coping mechanisms for students with mental disorders: An exploratory qualitative study at Busitema University's Mbale and Busia Campuses.

Enid Kawala Kagoya, Joseph Mpagi, Paul Waako, Martha R L Muhwezi, Agnes Namaganda, Allan G Nsubuga, Christine Etoko Atala, Francis Okello, Ambrose Okibure, Ronald Kibuuka and 3 more

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Article in PLOS global public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Enid Kawala KagoyaDepartment of Community Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2841-3523
Joseph MpagiDepartment of Academics, Research and Innovation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Paul WaakoBusitema University, Busia, Uganda.
Martha R L MuhweziForum for Africa Women Educationalists (FAWE) Africa, Kampala, Uganda.
Agnes NamagandaDepartment of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4729-5216
Allan G NsubugaDepartment of Community Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7438-4324
Christine Etoko AtalaDepartment of Anesthesia, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Francis OkelloDepartment of Community Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Ambrose OkibureDepartment of Community Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Ronald KibuukaDepartment of Community Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Ernest WanderaDepartment of Community Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Kalisiti NdamanywaDepartment of Academics, Research and Innovation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Joseph KirabiraDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In recent years, Ugandan universities have faced a rising incidence of mental health issues among students, with prevalence rates of mental disorders reaching up to 60% among undergraduates. These challenges significantly impact both academic performance and social interactions. This study aimed to investigate the coping mechanisms among students with mental disorders at Busitema University. We conducted 42 key informant interviews with students diagnosed with mental disorders, as determined by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Interviews were guided by a structured protocol developed by the research team, and all participants provided informed consent. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. This approach was chosen for its efficiency and directness. Nvivo software facilitated the coding and organization of themes. The study identified several coping strategies used by students at the two Busitema University campuses. Five main themes emerged: Alcohol and Substance Use, Use of Sedatives, Social and Personal Initiatives, Seeking Counseling Services, Withdrawal and Confrontation, and Faith Healing. Various subthemes were also noted, including substance use, withdrawal, confrontations, witchcraft, participation in co-curricular activities, abortions, and seeking psychosocial support. These findings are detailed in Table 2. Addressing the mental health challenges faced by university students requires a thorough understanding of their coping strategies. While some strategies are self-developed, others involve university-led interventions. It is crucial to reinforce effective coping mechanisms and address detrimental ones to improve students' mental health outcomes. Mental disorders, coping strategies, university students, Uganda.

Identifiers

PMID39752353
PMCPMC11698395

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.