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U n i v e r s i t y of P e r a d e n i y a

The Institutional Repository of the University of Peradeniya is the University's digital gateway to scholarly knowledge and research excellence. Established as the next phase of the Digital Library initiative launched by the University Library in 2011, it preserves, showcases, and provides open access to the intellectual output of the University community.

Through a rich collection of research articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, and other scholarly works, the repository enhances the visibility, accessibility, and long-term preservation of knowledge, extending the global reach and impact of the University of Peradeniya’s academic and research contributions.

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Factors related to substance abuse among students in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Milroy, J.A.
The gradual increase of substance abuse among educated youth has become a critical issue in Sri Lanka. Due to absence of systematic efforts, reasons as to why educated youth tend to use such illicit drugs remain unexplored. The present study explores the factors underlying the substance abuse of educated youth by taking a risk sample of young undergraduates from a Sri Lankan State University. This qualitative study employed in-depth interviews to gather data. Sample selection was conducted utilizing the snowball method, to include the undergraduate students who engage in substance abuse. Data was gathered from 10 key informants and the analysis began with coding. Coding was done in two rounds; first to identify the broad categories and then to identify the themes in each category. Accordingly, the first round of coding divided the responses into five categories as usage stage, usage pattern of drug varieties and the consequences experienced, in addition to the factors affecting the usage of drugs. The responses reveal that many of the young students use varieties of drugs, namely, cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, hash, heroin, crystal meth, tablets, pills, stamps and LSD. Factors that lead to substance abuse appear in three main themes: personal factors, social factors, and economic factors. It is curiosity, relaxation and happiness-expectations, biological factors, and psychological factors that appear as personal reasons. Peer influence, freedom of the environment, and undisturbed access to the drug network were found at the social level. Having a personal source of income and adequate external financial support appeared to be the economic factors for students‘ engagement in drug usage. Accordingly, the findings of this study offer a basis to take necessary measures to avoid the potential threats and negative consequences created by this hidden problem, while establishing the vital importance of engaging in serious discussion on the matter.
Enduring death and bereavement: an analysis of sinhala buddhist funerary practices and worden's "four tasks of mourning"
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Gunawardana. G.M.V.P.S.
Cultures around the world practice different funerary rites to cope with death and bereavement. Similarly, Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhist funerary practices have their inherent way of managing the negative emotions and feelings of people who suffer at their loved ones‘ death. It is an aid to the immediate family members of the deceased to move on with life. Western psychologists also have developed treatment models to manage negative consequences concerning human behaviour in utmost needy situations. This study comparatively analyzed Sinhala Buddhist funerary practices and the psychologist J. W. Worden‘s model of "four tasks of mourning" to endure death and bereavement. His model is flexible for healthy grieving as well as adjusting to life without any enforcement. Participatory observation was used to collect primary data on Sinhala Buddhist funerary practices while psychological treatments were used as secondary data. The study analyzed the two modes under accepting death, working through the pain, adjusting life, and moving on with life. Worden‘s model is scientific and a gradual process while Sinhala Buddhist funerary practices incorporate the same but as a ritualistic process. Sinhala funerary practices are mostly influenced by the Buddhist philosophical concepts "kamma" and impermanence. For example, funeral banners carry the Buddhist principle All 'compounded things are impermanent‘ (anicca vata sankhara). The social support system also helps the enduement process of the family. These support systems aid in adjusting to the new reality of living in the absence of loved ones. Worden‘s framework of four tasks manipulates the inner spiritual peace and the support of society. Hence, features of Worden‘s flexible model can be identified in the Sinhala Buddhist funerary practices of Sri Lanka. Methodical processes aid a person to cope with death and bereavement through psychological support while Sinhala- Buddhist funerary practices provide the same aid as a cultural practice.
Relationship between childhood maltreatment and alcohol addiction in middle adulthood
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Abhayarathna, H.C.; Bulathwatta, A.
Childhood trauma and maltreatment have been frequently identified in the life histories of patients in treatment for substance use disorders. This paper examines the relationships between the childhood profiles who reported to have undergone childhood maltreatment and alcohol addiction characteristics. In this regard, the methodology adopted was the following: twenty- five alcohol addicted male patients between the age of forty to sixty years from Mampitiya rehabilitation hospital were recruited. Childhood maltreatment/trauma was assessed using Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ),( Bernstein & Fink, 1998) and by a semi structured interview questionnaire consisting of questions relevant to childhood and alcohol consumption. Content and narrative analysis methods were used with predetermined themes (The socio-economic background and the educational level of the participants were also considered). It was found that the mean age of subjects was 45.2 yrs. The majority were raised in low socio-economic backgrounds (88%) and were poly drug users. On the CTQ 56% reported physical neglect, 60% emotional neglect, 72% emotional abuse and 84% for physical abuse. Overall, 74% of participants reported experiencing at least one type of abuse. Subjects who scored high on CTQ are heavy users of alcohol with an early age onset (< 15 yrs) compared with the subjects with low to moderate scores. The findings of the study portray that a majority of alcohol addicted patients has undergone at least one form of childhood maltreatment in their childhood. The results suggest childhood maltreatment and trauma occur due to many factors, with socio-economic problems, poverty, inadequate love, and care serving as risk factors for alcohol addiction in later life.
Who pays for healthcare in Sri Lanka?: a progressivity analysis in healthcare financing
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Fernando, A.N.
Often, government healthcare policies are aimed at safeguarding the most vulnerable groups by ensuring pro-poor financing of human development services. Furthermore, ensuring affordable and equitable healthcare and financial protection is an important policy objective accepted universally. The healthcare financing mix of Sri Lanka consists mainly of public spending, out of pocket expenditure (OOP) and private health insurance. However, the key research problem is to identify the extent to which the financing mix is able to address the equity goals of Sri Lanka. The main objective of the study was to investigate who among the rich and poor contribute to healthcare financing by reviewing the behaviour of the sources of healthcare financing. The Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) of 2016 was used in the study. The methodology was sharpened to assess progressivity of healthcare payments by deriving the Concentration Curve and computing the Concentration Index (CI) and Kakwani Index for each health financing source. The results indicate that the total health expenditure of Sri Lanka was mainly financed by direct payments done by households, sources of government revenue and private insurance premiums. The analysis revealed a positive CI and Kakwani index for direct and indirect taxes, OOP, and private insurance premiums. This implies that in all health financing sources of Sri Lanka, the rich not only pay more in absolute terms but also in relation to ability to pay. The negative Kakwani index recorded for taxes for tobacco and liquor consumption implies that the poor pay more taxes in this regard than the rich. The paradox of the progressive healthcare financing mix is reflected through the strong contribution of OOP spending and the growth of the private sector where households are compelled to finance health through their own funds. This would cause households to incur catastrophic expenditures, especially among the lower income spectrum of the society.
Impact of organizational culture on employee motivation: a study on managerial nurses in children’s hospitals of Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Bandara, S.Y.; Athukorala, W.; Gannoruwa, A.; Kulathunga, S.; Hewageegana, N.
Organizational culture is a common set of values and norms followed by individuals or groups within an organization. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the impact of organizational culture on employee motivation in two children's hospitals of Sri Lanka. The level of perception of managerial nurses (matrons, sisters, and in-charge nurses) on how organizational culture (values, norms, and leadership styles) influence in motivating employees was investigated. 71 nurses working at the managerial level from the two Hospitals participated in the study. There was a positive correlation between employee motivation and organizational culture. The results of the linear regression model implied that a meaningful impact of organizational culture exists on employee motivation. Further, the responses from the two respective hospitals showed no difference in two means. These findings were consistent with existing literature and a positive correlation between organizational culture and employee motivation was observed in this study. The results will be useful to measure and adjust organizational culture to motivate employees in order to achieve successful pediatric patient care in Sri Lanka.