7.2.2025
Doctoral thesis on intimate partner rape in Uganda
M.Soc.Sc. Brendah Nakyazze’s doctoral thesis in Developmental Psychology will be put forth for public defence at Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies at Åbo Akademi University.
The thesis is entitled Intimate Partner Rape and its Psychological Concomitants in a Ugandan Sample.
The public defence of the doctoral thesis takes place online on 13 February 2025 at 2PM. Professor Helen Cowie, University of Surrey, United Kingdom, will serve as opponent and Docent Karin Österman, Åbo Akademi University, as custos.
Summary
This thesis investigates intimate partner rape (IPR) in Uganda, shedding light on its psychological effects, connections to controlling and aggressive behaviours, and cultural attitudes toward IPR. Through three studies using surveys, the research highlights key issues such as gender differences, the impact of education, and the influence of cultural norms. Women reported higher rates of IPR than men, but men also experienced victimization. Victims, especially women, often struggled with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, with those lacking education facing even higher rates of abuse.
The studies found that IPR often goes hand in hand with controlling behaviour and physical aggression in relationships. Women reported more physical violence, though both genders experienced similar levels of controlling behaviour. A troubling acceptance of IPR was also noted, with older individuals and those with lower education levels more likely to tolerate it. Women who accepted IPR were more vulnerable to psychological distress and further victimization, pointing to the damaging effects of cultural norms that perpetuate abuse and silence survivors.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for interventions to combat IPR and its broader impact. Education on gender equality and consent, improved mental health support, and stronger legal protections for survivors are essential. Efforts to challenge harmful societal beliefs and promote justice for victims can play a crucial role in addressing IPR. By focusing on these areas, this research provides valuable insights to reduce intimate partner violence and support survivors in Uganda and similar contexts.
Brendah Nakyazze was born in 1984 in Kampala, Uganda. She can be reached by email brendah.nakyazze@abo.fi.
The doctoral thesis can be read online through the Doria publication archive.
Click here for a press photo of the doctoral student.
Instructions for following the doctoral defence remotely:
To follow the defence, you need the Zoom software or the Google Chrome browser. You do not need to create a Zoom account to follow the defence. If you install the application, you participate by clicking on the meeting link, after which you should allow the link to open in the Zoom app.