The impact of Interpersonal Therapy Group (IPT-G) on the social and psychological wellbeing of the community in Takajjunge Village, Mukono, Uganda
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Date
2026-05-19
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
In the quiet village of Takajjunge, many individuals navigate the heavy weight of social and emotional distress often made worse by the pressures of poverty and fractured relationships. This study was born from a desire to see if the Interpersonal Therapy Group (IPT-G) model could offer a genuine path to healing. The research utilized a mixed methods design, combining quantitative surveys with 43 participants and qualitative data from Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant interviews, reflecting the interconnectedness of social work research (Creswell & Creswell,2018). Moving beyond simple data, the research listened to the stories of participants through heart-to-heart conversations. The findings tell a story of profound transformation for 88% of those involved, the IPT-G sessions became a “safe haven” where they finally felt seen and heard, echoing the importance of social support in psychological recovery (Weissman et al., 2017). Married participants spoke of rediscovered peace at home, and many found a new family in their fellow group members. However, the study also uncovered the “graduation/ termination blues” , a heartfelt sense of loss when the formal sessions ended and the stark absence of men in these healing spaces. This research aligns with the observation that mental health interventions in low resource settings often face challenges regarding long term sustainability and gender inclusive participation (Bolton et al., 2003; Verdeli et al.,2021). Consequently, this work is a call to action to treat mental health not as a temporary project, but as a temporary project, but as a permanent, community rooted pillar of village life.
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Undergraduate