The impact of early childhood experiences of abuse and working conditions on psychological wellbeing of domestic workers in Kampala City, Uganda

Abstract

The recent global increase in mental health challenges exhibited by domestic workers at work place prompted many scholars in social and behavioral sciences to conduct research aimed to understand drivers of this phenomenon. A body of extensive study material exists to this effect virtually from many locations of the world. However, in Uganda’ case, there is scanty information for one to conclude on this impact and the extent to which it has reached, hence there was need to conduct a study aimed at examining the impact of early childhood experiences of abuse and working conditions on psychological wellbeing of domestic workers in Kampala Capital City. The study employed a mixed design involving qualitative and quantitative approaches. A narrative inquiry was adopted for qualitative approach and presented concurrently with quantitative data from a questionnaire. 130 accessible female domestic workers were considered from which a sample size was derived. 10 research participants engaged in the narrative inquiry. Data relating to abuse of domestic workers and psychological well-being is attitudinal and perceptual. It is why narrative interview was used. The results conclude that the experience domestic workers have in their work is a brain killer and strongly destroy their psychological wellbeing. It is paramount to improve the work conditions as per the findings revealed. Respondents with better working conditions registered better psychological wellbeing as compared to those with bad working conditions. There is need for advocacy for human rights aimed to promote better working conditions for domestic workers, conduct researches on why many females are involved in domestic work than male counterparts (Ratio 90:10 ), and establishment of community programmes geared to rehabilitate the victims of abuse with distorted psychological well-being.