The phenomenon of ragging: violence among university students in Sri Lanka

Ragging is an initiation ritual in Sri Lankan universities where senior students harass newcomers. This practice leads to severe consequences such as depression, increased dropouts, and suicide, yet research on this issue remains scarce.

This thesis aimed to explore ragging through the perspectives of students and university affiliates and to assess the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among students.

Study I was a cross-sectional survey (n = 623) among second- and third-year students from the Faculties of Medicine and Technology to determine the prevalence of ragging and its health consequences. Study II utilized focus group discussions (n = 17) with students to explore the social dynamics and motivations of ragging. Study III included focus group discussions (n = 7) and interviews (n = 11) with university staff to understand their attitudes towards ragging. Study IV surveyed second-year students (n = 637) from three faculties using the Patient Health Questionnaire to assess the prevalence of MDD.

Study I found that 59% of students experienced ragging, 54% reported health consequences, and most sought help from friends and family. Ragging prevalence varied by faculty and year of study. Study II revealed that ragging was used to establish power and address social inequalities. Study III identified themes of normalization, fear of reprisal, and resistance among staff. Study IV showed that 31% of students experienced MDD. MDD prevalence was associated with students' ethnicity.

Ragging is a pervasive issue with significant mental health consequences. Effective interventions require a multisectoral approach to create a safe and supportive university environment, enabling all students to thrive.