Exploring links between socio-ecological systems and psychological distress: a case study in rural Uganda

Journal article

Poor mental health is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, but there is a patchy understanding of how it is influenced by people’s interactions with ecological systems. In a theorygenerating study, we asked how interactions with ecosystems were perceived to influence stressors associated with psychological distress in a rural Ugandan case study. We conducted and thematically analysed 45 semi-structured interviews with residents of Nyabyeya Parish. Poverty and food 30 insecurity were the primary reported causes of ‘thinking too much’ and related idioms suggesting psychological distress. Households bordering a conservation area reported that crop losses from wildlife contributed to food insecurity. But, forest resources were important safety nets for those facing poverty and food insecurity. Commercial agricultural expansion also emerged as a salient theme in residents’ lives, reportedly exacerbating poverty and food insecurity among poorer 35 households but contributing incomes to wealthier ones. Our exploratory study suggests how two globally prevalent land uses – nature conservation and commercial agriculture – may influence social determinants of psychological distress in our study area. We highlight co-benefits and trade-offs between global sustainability goals that could be managed for mental health.

Authors: Pienkowski, T; Keane, A; Kinyanda, E; Knizek, BL; Asiimwe, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Journal: Oryx
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 641 - 649
• Publication date: 2024-09-11
• Acceptance date: 2023-11-09
• DOI: 10.1017/S0030605323001710
• EISSN: 1365-3008
• ISSN: 0030-6053
• Language: English