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Witchcraft, Shame and Intellectual disability - Help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda: a mixed methods study

Schildknecht, Johannes LU (2015) MIDM19 20151
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study aims to explore the influence that stigma and beliefs have on the disability-related help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda. These children are regarded as one of the most neglected groups in developing countries, where access to rehabilitation services frequently is restricted starkly, and beliefs and stigma are believed to interfere in the process of seeking help. Implementing a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach using qualitative interviews and a survey questionnaire, caregivers and staff members of the Mukisa Foundation, a rehabilitation facility for children with intellectual disabilities, participated in the data collection. Findings were analysed using the Integrated Behavioral... (More)
This study aims to explore the influence that stigma and beliefs have on the disability-related help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda. These children are regarded as one of the most neglected groups in developing countries, where access to rehabilitation services frequently is restricted starkly, and beliefs and stigma are believed to interfere in the process of seeking help. Implementing a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach using qualitative interviews and a survey questionnaire, caregivers and staff members of the Mukisa Foundation, a rehabilitation facility for children with intellectual disabilities, participated in the data collection. Findings were analysed using the Integrated Behavioral Model and a help-seeking process model.

Results show that traditional beliefs, shame and harassment influence attitudes, social norms and self-efficacy with regards to help-seeking, which in turn affect the process of attending support services in a complex interplay with other factors. The influence of stigma and beliefs develops dynamically over the course of help-seeking pathways, fuelled by personal development and disappointing experiences in help-seeking. In sum, stigma and beliefs show the potential to prevent or delay effective help-seeking, which negatively affects life chances of children with intellectual disabilities and their families’ socio-economic status in society. (Less)
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author
Schildknecht, Johannes LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20151
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
explanatory (belief) models, Integrated Behavioral Model, help-seeking, learning disabilities, special needs, Stigma, intellectual disability, rehabilitation, Kampala, Uganda
language
English
id
5423637
date added to LUP
2015-06-29 15:17:07
date last changed
2015-06-29 15:17:07
@misc{5423637,
  abstract     = {{This study aims to explore the influence that stigma and beliefs have on the disability-related help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda. These children are regarded as one of the most neglected groups in developing countries, where access to rehabilitation services frequently is restricted starkly, and beliefs and stigma are believed to interfere in the process of seeking help. Implementing a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach using qualitative interviews and a survey questionnaire, caregivers and staff members of the Mukisa Foundation, a rehabilitation facility for children with intellectual disabilities, participated in the data collection. Findings were analysed using the Integrated Behavioral Model and a help-seeking process model. 

Results show that traditional beliefs, shame and harassment influence attitudes, social norms and self-efficacy with regards to help-seeking, which in turn affect the process of attending support services in a complex interplay with other factors. The influence of stigma and beliefs develops dynamically over the course of help-seeking pathways, fuelled by personal development and disappointing experiences in help-seeking. In sum, stigma and beliefs show the potential to prevent or delay effective help-seeking, which negatively affects life chances of children with intellectual disabilities and their families’ socio-economic status in society.}},
  author       = {{Schildknecht, Johannes}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Witchcraft, Shame and Intellectual disability - Help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda: a mixed methods study}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}