Browsing by Author "Selvaratnam, N.D"

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Open Access
Assessment of Judgmental Validity of the Sinhala Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) Scale
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Selvaratnam, N.D; Selvaratnam, N.C
Sri Lanka lacks a suitable psychometric tool to assess water insecurity eff ecti vely. To address this issue, in the present study, the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale was translated into Sinhala language and tested for its face and content validity. Using established guidelines, fi rst, face validity was evaluated with the parti cipati on of two subject matt er experts (SMEs). Then, Cohen’s Kappa stati sti c (CKS) was calculated to obtain the interrater reliability to establish face validity. Second, the Delphi process was conducted with fi ve SMEs to assess the content validity of the Sinhala HWISE scale. Subsequently, the Content Validity Index (CVI) for individual items (I-CVI), the overall scale (S-CVI), and S-CVI/UA (Universal Agreement) were uti lized to quanti fy the output of the Delphi process. The results indicated that the HWISE scale was content valid based on the results of Delphi and S-CVI, while the I-CVI and S-CVI/UA indicated some departure from the expected thresholds. Fleiss Kappa Stati sti c (FKS) revealed minor inconsistencies in the quanti fi ed opinions of the SMEs in the Delphi process, which indirectly impacted I-CVI and S-CVI/UA. Overall, the HWISE scale has met sati sfactory face and content validity.
Open Access
Beneath the Sentence: A Deep Dive into Post-Homicidal Mentality and Coping Strategies on Sri Lanka’s Death Row Inmates
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Madanayake, C; Perera, H; Samarakoon, C; Athapaththu, T; Attanayaka, A; Weeramanthrie, Y; Sandupama, T; Selvaratnam, N.D; Ponnamperuma, L
This study explores the post-homicidal mentality and coping strategies of individuals convicted of homicide and sentenced to capital punishment in Sri Lanka, a context marked by stressful conditions of incarceration and cultural stigma. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with six male inmates at Welikada Prison to understand how they perceive and manage their acts (i.e., homicide) and extended detention under the threat of the death penalty. The results showed a variety of signs of psychological distress after a homicide, such as guilt, anxiety, disorientation, and emotional numbness. In order to deal with guilt, control intrusive memories, and adapt to prison life, participants used coping strategies, particularly religious surrender, creative engagement, and moral reframing. According to these findings, death row inmates face significant psychological difficulties, and the correctional system in Sri Lanka urgently needs culturally competent mental health services and rehabilitative frameworks. The study contributes to the limited qualitative literature on the inner experiences of death row prisoners, offering insights for policy development and clinical practices aimed at supporting psychological adaptation in highly punitive environments.
Open Access
Exploring the Uncanny Valley Effect of Motion Capture films through Anthropomorphism and Negative Emotions
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Dionysius, K; Selvaratnam, N.D
This study was conducted with the aim of exploring whether watching a Motion capture (Mo-cap) movie can result in the Uncanny Valley (UV) effect amongst the young-adult population via the factors of Anthropomorphism and Negative Emotions (NE). Three objectives were brought forward; assess perceived anthropomorphism in Mo-cap films, examine NE induced by Mo-cap characters, and determine if both factors together elicit the UVE. The participants were divided into 3 groups, with each group having 15participants. Each group viewed a different movie – animated, Mo-cap, and real. Afterwards, participants were instructed to fill the Godspeed questionnaire Series (GQS) and the Discreet Emotions Questionnaire (DEQ) to measure Anthropomorphism and NE respectively. The Mo-cap movie was not significantly different in anthropomorphism levels but did showcase higher levels of NE within the participants. The UVE was not observed due to high levels of anthropomorphism and NE was not of significant occurrence.
Open Access
Generational Differences and Gender Role Beliefs on Mental Health Stigma among Sri Lankan Women
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Nicholas, R. N; Selvaratnam, N.D
Mental health stigma (MHS) remains a key barrier to psychological well-being in Sri Lanka, where cultural norms and gender expectations heavily influence help-seeking. Against this backdrop, the present study examined how gender role beliefs and generational differences shape mental health stigma among Sri Lankan women and whether these variables interact. A total of 250 Sri Lankan women aged 18-60 fromGenerations X, Y, and Z were recruited through online data collection, with generational groups assigned based on birth year. Gender role beliefs were measured using the Gender Role Beliefs Scale – Short Version (GRBS), and stigma was assessed using the Social Stigma for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH). A 2x3 factorial arrangement was designed, and data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. Results indicated that women endorsing traditional gender role beliefs reported significantly higher stigma, while the interaction between gender role beliefs and generation was not significant. The findings highlight gender role beliefs as a stronger predictor of stigma than generation, underscoring the need for belief-focused, culturally sensitive interventions in Sri Lanka.
Open Access
Predictors of Professional Help-Seeking Intentions in Sri Lankan Young Adults
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Shiyam, T. S; Selvaratnam, N.D
Despite a noticeable decline in mental health among youth in Sri Lanka, many remain reluctant to seek help from trained professionals. This cross-sectional study applies the theory of planned behaviour to examine the psychological determinants of professional help-seeking intentions among Sri Lankan young adults, with a focus on how its core components—attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control—contribute to intention formation. An online questionnaire consisting of the Mental Health Seeking Attitude Scale (MHSAS), Subjective Norms Scale (SNS), Perceived Behavioural Control Scale (PBCS) and Mental Help Seeking Intention Scale (MHSIS) was administered to a predominantly female, English-speaking sample of 155 participants aged between 18 – 35. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed a statistically significant model which accounted for 13.2% of the variance in professional helpseeking intentions among this sample. However, subjective norms failed to account for a significant increase in the variance explained by the model after controlling for attitudes and perceived behavioural control. These findings highlight the importance of targeting attitudes and perceived control in interventions aimed at augmenting professional help-seeking intentions among youth. Authorities shouldalso prioritize culturally tailored mental health campaigns that could empower youth while reducing the stigma around professional support.