Papers by Dr. Janvier Rugira
International Perspectives in Psychology
The United Republic of Tanzania is at a crucial stage in the development of its mental health sys... more The United Republic of Tanzania is at a crucial stage in the development of its mental health system. As of 2009, there were 18 psychiatrists serving this nation of 51 million people despite depression ranking as Tanzania’s number one cause of disability. Modest efforts have been made to expand services, but few studies have documented the state of mental health treatment in the nation. The current research represents a formative effort to assess mental health needs in northern Tanzania and inform the investment of resources to improve care. To achieve these aims, we conducted semistructured interviews with 29 mental health providers examining their perceptions of the treatment currently offered, characteristics of patient populations, and future directions in treatment. Responses were analyzed using consensual qualitative research, and these offer nuanced insights into the Tanzanian context. Alcohol and substance abuse, schizophrenia, and stress related to social challenges were th...
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 2014
We know that there are cross-cultural differences in psychological variables, such as individuali... more We know that there are cross-cultural differences in psychological variables, such as individualism/ collectivism. But it has not been clear which of these variables show relatively the greatest differences. The Survey of World Views project operated from the premise that such issues are best addressed in a diverse sampling of countries representing a majority of the world’s population, with a very large range of item-content. Data were collected online from 8,883 individuals (almost entirely college students based on local publicizing efforts) in 33 countries that constitute more than two third of the world’s population, using items drawn from measures of nearly 50 variables. This report focuses on the broadest patterns evident in item data. The largest differences were not in those contents most frequently emphasized in cross-cultural psychology (e.g., values, social axioms, cultural tightness), but instead in contents involving religion, regularity-norm behaviors, family roles an...
Cross-cultural research brings attention to an overarching number of psychological variables such... more Cross-cultural research brings attention to an overarching number of psychological variables such as, amongst others, values, social axioms, cultural tightness/looseness, cultural orientation and religion, in the report of differences among populations. These psychological variables are often regarded as universal, overlapping nations in different parts of the world. However, recent research observes that as much as human experiences are universal, increased attention needs to be paid to culturally embedded distinctions that emerge from people’s description and experiences in their personal context. This study explores the relationship between family values and ethnonationalism in relation to East Africa (sub-Saharan), with specific focus on Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. Examination of the instruments was done through the use of SPSS (version 23). The results indicated that the sub-scales could not be combined to form a total scale score because both ethhnonationalism scale and family values scale had Cronbach’s Alpha reliability statistics less than (0.70) and Inter-Item Correlations mean statistics less than (0.20), thus the correlations between the instruments and comparisons between groups needed to be conducted at subscale level. Analysis yielded the following results; there was no correlation between ethnonationalism theory and family values-hierarchy; there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-theory and family-values-relationships; there was no correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-hierarchy; and there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-relationships. Recommendations for future research include increasing the number of items in, particularly, the ethnonationalism scale, as neither subscale, one consisting of two items and the other of four items, could be verified as reliable using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability statistic. Similarly, one can consider an equal proportion of participants from different groups, thus increasing the likelihood of finding comprehensive differences or further confirming the claim
that no significant differences exist within a particular context. Lastly, replicating the use of the same instruments but ensuring a wider age range of participants might promote understand of why, for example, the patterns observed in family values-hierarchy differ so much from the other sub-scales and how this might differ for the elderly compared to the youthful population.
Keywords: Cross-cultural; Psychology; Ethnonationalism; Homogeneity; Multiculturalism
Cross-cultural research brings attention to an overarching number of psychological variables such... more Cross-cultural research brings attention to an overarching number of psychological variables such as, amongst others, values, social axioms, cultural tightness/looseness, cultural orientation and religion, in the report of differences among populations. These psychological variables are often regarded as universal, overlapping nations in different parts of the world. However, recent research observes that as much as human experiences are universal, increased attention needs to be paid to culturally embedded distinctions that emerge from people’s
description and experiences in their personal context. This study explores the relationship between family values and ethnonationalism in relation to East Africa (sub-Saharan), with specific focus on Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. Examination of the instruments was done through the use of SPSS (version 23). The results indicated that the sub-scales could not be combined to form a total scale score because both ethhnonationalism scale and family values scale had Cronbach’s
Alpha reliability statistics less than (0.70) and Inter-Item Correlations mean statistics less than (0.20), thus the correlations between the instruments and comparisons between groups needed to be conducted at subscale level. Analysis yielded the following results; there was no correlation between ethnonationalismtheory and family values-hierarchy; there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-theory and family-values-relationships; there was no correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-hierarchy;
and there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-relationships. Recommendations for future research include increasing the number of items in, particularly, the ethnonationalism scale, as neither subscale, one consisting of two items and the other of four items, could be verified as reliable using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability statistic. Similarly, one can
consider an equal proportion of participants from different groups, thus increasing the likelihood of finding comprehensive differences or further confirming the claim that no significant differences exist within a particular context. Lastly, replicating the use of the same instruments but ensuring a wider age range of participants might promote understand of why, for example, the patterns observed in family values-hierarchy differ so much from the other sub-scales and how this might differ for the elderly compared to the youthful population.
African Journal of Psychological Assessment, 2021
The study investigated the factor structure of the 15-item social well-being scale in an African ... more The study investigated the factor structure of the 15-item social well-being scale in an African context. Social well-being is categorised into five dimensions: social integration, social contribution, social coherence, social actualisation and social acceptance. Data were collected from 402 participants in South Africa (50% male, average age of 21 years). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) were conducted in Mplus (version 8.1), on the 15-item measure. Results showed advantages of ESEM’s flexibility, through which an unstable emic four factor solution emerged. For such complex multidimensional psychological constructs measured in novel contexts, ESEM is best suited for exploring factorial validity. Although the present study’s findings should have implication for theory, future studies should further explore social well-being measurement using the long- and short-form instruments in diverse African samples.
We explore why people with mental health problems don’t attend the available local primary health... more We explore why people with mental health problems don’t attend the available local primary health care (PHC) in Tanzania with specific reference to Themi division in Arusha. The broad aim is to determine factors affecting the integration of mental health services into PHC. Conclusions and recommendations arrived at here originate from a mixed method study that employed both focus group interviews and questionnaires through purposive sampling method with a sample size of 116 medical professionals where 91 participants (37 male and 54 females) filled and returned the questionnaires. For quantitative (5 focus groups) data 26 non-medical respondents formed five focus groups for qualitative data. Qualitative data were analyzed by Consensual Qualitative Research method (CQR) while Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 for windows was used for quantitative ones. Findings of the study suggest that integration of mental health service into PHC is hindered by inadequate knowledge and skills for mental health at PHC, cultural perception about mental illness, poor outpatient department (OPD) infrastructure, stigma and discrimination. Both medical professionals and non-medical participants (health service users) of the study ascribed stigma and myths about mental illness as the biggest challenge against clients seeking diagnosis at PHC centers. Lack of mental health diagnostic tools, have also lead to failure of integration of mental health services into PHC. The study highlights few recommendations for integration of mental health services into PHC such as the need for education and training opportunity, stigma reduction, peer support system, development of infrastructure.
This is Symposium Abstracts: Alphabetical by Author R – Z.
Abstracts herein were presented at t... more This is Symposium Abstracts: Alphabetical by Author R – Z.
Abstracts herein were presented at the 38th Annual Symposium of KBS,
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the efficacy of a new psychosocial well-being promoting program... more ABSTRACT
This study investigated the efficacy of a new psychosocial well-being promoting programme for university students in Tanzania. Participants were adult university students (N = 82; 42 married and 40 single; 46 females and 36 males) of 19 to 40 years of age with a mean age of 29.5. Four standardised scales (the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form MHC-SF; the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale – CSE; the Trait Hope Scale (THS); and The Patient Health Questionnaire: Depression Symptoms -PHQ-9); were administered before and after the programme to determine the effect thereof. Quantitative findings indicated that the programme had a significant positive effect on problem-focused coping, social well-being and hope. Married participants were more effective in suppression of unpleasant emotions in the experimental group than in the control group. Gender-based differences were noted on emotional well-being scores, where an increase in the experimental group is noted for females on areas such as problem-focused coping, suppression of unpleasant emotions, total self-efficacy, and social well-being. The programme was specifically effective on suppressing unpleasant emotions to married participants in the experimental group.
The study focused on exploring trends of social factors influencing adolescents' substance abuse ... more The study focused on exploring trends of social factors influencing adolescents' substance abuse as they relate to drug policies in member states of the East African Community i.e.
Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on Academic Search Premier (Cinahl, ERIC, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, SocIndex), International Theses & Dissertations (ProQuest), ScienceDirect, Emerald, SAePublications,
SabinetOnline, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Scopus, and RefWorks.
In terms of social factors, the study reveals that loss of parents, forced career choice, low level of education, unemployment, idleness, poverty, life stress, peer influence, curiosity, and
dysfunctional family state contribute to drug abuse among EAC adolescents. Drug abuse is linked to national insecurity, specifically among Internally Displaced People in the region. The EAC countries have ratified the World's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961; all shares the protocol on combating drug trafficking in African Region and that of EAC of 2001. The link between drug policies and drug abuse prevalence was established in this study. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have drug control Acts which Rwanda and Burundi do not have. Kenya and Uganda have independent control commissions to control drug abuse, which Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania are lacking.
The study examined the nature and prevalence of Violence Against Women (VAW), and how such affect... more The study examined the nature and prevalence of Violence Against Women (VAW), and how such affects women to make recommendations to reduce the same in Tanzania. Quantitative data were analysed by use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v11) while qualitative were analysed using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) model. Ninety-eight (98) respondents conveniently participated in the study in one small district of Tanzania. Findings indicated that forms of VAW as including (1) insult by partner, ranked number one, followed by (2) beating, (3) emotional abuse such as economic deprivation of the property, marriage of other wives and denial of sex. Other forms of violence included (6) forced sex; physical abuse; and (7) female genital mutilation. The reasons for VAW are many and vary in nature, but include: (1) lack of husband’s tolerance and patience; (2) excessive alcohol consumption, (3) jealousy; (4) economic conditions such as lack of food and other needs. The effects range from (1) physical injury e.g. constant headache; sleep disturbances; (2) psychosocial problems i.e. excessive fear, (3) suicidal ideation and hatred of men, (4) destruction of the family unit. Counselling and legal advice to women suffering from this male violence is strongly recommended.
This study explored the prevalence of levels of psychological well-being in a group of Tanzanian ... more This study explored the prevalence of levels of psychological well-being in a group of Tanzanian university students. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was implemented for data-gathering. A convenience sample of 279 undergraduate students (19 to 40 years, mean age 29 years) from three church-related universities completed the Mental Health Continuum -Short Form (MHC-SF) as measure of levels of well-being. Descriptive statistics and reliability indices were determined for the MHC-SF and the frequency of various levels of well-being established with implementation of Keyes's criteria for categorization. Findings indicated high levels of positive mental health in this group with a large number of students in the flourishing category. Smaller size of institution was associated with higher well-being. Future research should explore well-being in other Tanzanian groups as well as the possible role of spirituality and religion in subjective reports of psychosocial well-being.
The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explain the perceptions of semi-nomadic pastoral... more The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explain the perceptions of semi-nomadic pastoralists in East Africa, who self-identified as having the characteristics of the most vulnerable, and who were educationally successful. This study identified motivating factors that contributed to resiliency while in the pursuit of an education. Findings suggest that even though students from this background utilize these motivating factors they are still faced with inner cultural tensions that can be insurmountable. Emergent theory suggests that inner cultural conflicts toward education are resolved when push/pull factors were combined with a sense of something beyond themselves, allowing for transcultural migration.
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Papers by Dr. Janvier Rugira
that no significant differences exist within a particular context. Lastly, replicating the use of the same instruments but ensuring a wider age range of participants might promote understand of why, for example, the patterns observed in family values-hierarchy differ so much from the other sub-scales and how this might differ for the elderly compared to the youthful population.
Keywords: Cross-cultural; Psychology; Ethnonationalism; Homogeneity; Multiculturalism
description and experiences in their personal context. This study explores the relationship between family values and ethnonationalism in relation to East Africa (sub-Saharan), with specific focus on Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. Examination of the instruments was done through the use of SPSS (version 23). The results indicated that the sub-scales could not be combined to form a total scale score because both ethhnonationalism scale and family values scale had Cronbach’s
Alpha reliability statistics less than (0.70) and Inter-Item Correlations mean statistics less than (0.20), thus the correlations between the instruments and comparisons between groups needed to be conducted at subscale level. Analysis yielded the following results; there was no correlation between ethnonationalismtheory and family values-hierarchy; there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-theory and family-values-relationships; there was no correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-hierarchy;
and there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-relationships. Recommendations for future research include increasing the number of items in, particularly, the ethnonationalism scale, as neither subscale, one consisting of two items and the other of four items, could be verified as reliable using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability statistic. Similarly, one can
consider an equal proportion of participants from different groups, thus increasing the likelihood of finding comprehensive differences or further confirming the claim that no significant differences exist within a particular context. Lastly, replicating the use of the same instruments but ensuring a wider age range of participants might promote understand of why, for example, the patterns observed in family values-hierarchy differ so much from the other sub-scales and how this might differ for the elderly compared to the youthful population.
Abstracts herein were presented at the 38th Annual Symposium of KBS,
This study investigated the efficacy of a new psychosocial well-being promoting programme for university students in Tanzania. Participants were adult university students (N = 82; 42 married and 40 single; 46 females and 36 males) of 19 to 40 years of age with a mean age of 29.5. Four standardised scales (the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form MHC-SF; the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale – CSE; the Trait Hope Scale (THS); and The Patient Health Questionnaire: Depression Symptoms -PHQ-9); were administered before and after the programme to determine the effect thereof. Quantitative findings indicated that the programme had a significant positive effect on problem-focused coping, social well-being and hope. Married participants were more effective in suppression of unpleasant emotions in the experimental group than in the control group. Gender-based differences were noted on emotional well-being scores, where an increase in the experimental group is noted for females on areas such as problem-focused coping, suppression of unpleasant emotions, total self-efficacy, and social well-being. The programme was specifically effective on suppressing unpleasant emotions to married participants in the experimental group.
Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on Academic Search Premier (Cinahl, ERIC, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, SocIndex), International Theses & Dissertations (ProQuest), ScienceDirect, Emerald, SAePublications,
SabinetOnline, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Scopus, and RefWorks.
In terms of social factors, the study reveals that loss of parents, forced career choice, low level of education, unemployment, idleness, poverty, life stress, peer influence, curiosity, and
dysfunctional family state contribute to drug abuse among EAC adolescents. Drug abuse is linked to national insecurity, specifically among Internally Displaced People in the region. The EAC countries have ratified the World's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961; all shares the protocol on combating drug trafficking in African Region and that of EAC of 2001. The link between drug policies and drug abuse prevalence was established in this study. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have drug control Acts which Rwanda and Burundi do not have. Kenya and Uganda have independent control commissions to control drug abuse, which Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania are lacking.
that no significant differences exist within a particular context. Lastly, replicating the use of the same instruments but ensuring a wider age range of participants might promote understand of why, for example, the patterns observed in family values-hierarchy differ so much from the other sub-scales and how this might differ for the elderly compared to the youthful population.
Keywords: Cross-cultural; Psychology; Ethnonationalism; Homogeneity; Multiculturalism
description and experiences in their personal context. This study explores the relationship between family values and ethnonationalism in relation to East Africa (sub-Saharan), with specific focus on Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. Examination of the instruments was done through the use of SPSS (version 23). The results indicated that the sub-scales could not be combined to form a total scale score because both ethhnonationalism scale and family values scale had Cronbach’s
Alpha reliability statistics less than (0.70) and Inter-Item Correlations mean statistics less than (0.20), thus the correlations between the instruments and comparisons between groups needed to be conducted at subscale level. Analysis yielded the following results; there was no correlation between ethnonationalismtheory and family values-hierarchy; there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-theory and family-values-relationships; there was no correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-hierarchy;
and there was a weak, positive correlation between ethnonationalism-multicultural civic nation and family values-relationships. Recommendations for future research include increasing the number of items in, particularly, the ethnonationalism scale, as neither subscale, one consisting of two items and the other of four items, could be verified as reliable using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability statistic. Similarly, one can
consider an equal proportion of participants from different groups, thus increasing the likelihood of finding comprehensive differences or further confirming the claim that no significant differences exist within a particular context. Lastly, replicating the use of the same instruments but ensuring a wider age range of participants might promote understand of why, for example, the patterns observed in family values-hierarchy differ so much from the other sub-scales and how this might differ for the elderly compared to the youthful population.
Abstracts herein were presented at the 38th Annual Symposium of KBS,
This study investigated the efficacy of a new psychosocial well-being promoting programme for university students in Tanzania. Participants were adult university students (N = 82; 42 married and 40 single; 46 females and 36 males) of 19 to 40 years of age with a mean age of 29.5. Four standardised scales (the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form MHC-SF; the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale – CSE; the Trait Hope Scale (THS); and The Patient Health Questionnaire: Depression Symptoms -PHQ-9); were administered before and after the programme to determine the effect thereof. Quantitative findings indicated that the programme had a significant positive effect on problem-focused coping, social well-being and hope. Married participants were more effective in suppression of unpleasant emotions in the experimental group than in the control group. Gender-based differences were noted on emotional well-being scores, where an increase in the experimental group is noted for females on areas such as problem-focused coping, suppression of unpleasant emotions, total self-efficacy, and social well-being. The programme was specifically effective on suppressing unpleasant emotions to married participants in the experimental group.
Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on Academic Search Premier (Cinahl, ERIC, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, SocIndex), International Theses & Dissertations (ProQuest), ScienceDirect, Emerald, SAePublications,
SabinetOnline, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Scopus, and RefWorks.
In terms of social factors, the study reveals that loss of parents, forced career choice, low level of education, unemployment, idleness, poverty, life stress, peer influence, curiosity, and
dysfunctional family state contribute to drug abuse among EAC adolescents. Drug abuse is linked to national insecurity, specifically among Internally Displaced People in the region. The EAC countries have ratified the World's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961; all shares the protocol on combating drug trafficking in African Region and that of EAC of 2001. The link between drug policies and drug abuse prevalence was established in this study. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have drug control Acts which Rwanda and Burundi do not have. Kenya and Uganda have independent control commissions to control drug abuse, which Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania are lacking.