eScholar-UMT
eScholar is the institutional repository for research conducted at UMT and maintains a large collection of theses, dissertations and projects produced by UMT graduates as part of their respective degree programs. It includes (but not limited to):
- PhD/MS Theses
- Graduate Program Research Projects
- Undergraduate Program Reports and Final Year Projects
- Full-text articles/research work of faculty and students
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Nutritional and psychological assessment of women residing in women shelter homes
(UMT,Lahore, 2025) Dr. Noor Younis
This study explores the nutritional and psychological status of women residing in shelter homes, with a specific focus on their dietary habits and emotional eating behaviors. Women in such settings often face complex psychosocial challenges that can significantly impact their nutritional well-being and mental health. The objective of this research was to assess the interplay between dietary intake patterns and psychological states, and to identify correlations between emotional eating tendencies and nutritional deficiencies. A cross-sectional study was conducted among women residing in selected shelter homes. Data collection tools included a structured dietary assessment questionnaire, psychological screening , and an emotional eating scale. Nutritional status was evaluated based on dietary diversity, frequency of meals, intake of macro- and micronutrients, and BMI measurements. Psychological assessment covered indicators of stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation. The statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between emotional eating scores and unhealthy dietary patterns (p < 0.05), including increased consumption of high-calorie, low nutrient foods during periods of emotional distress. Furthermore, a notable proportion of the participants exhibited irregular eating habits, meal skipping, and poor intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods, contributing to both undernutrition and overweight conditions within the group. Psychological findings indicated moderate to high levels of stress and anxiety, with emotional eating emerging as a coping mechanism. The results underscore the need for integrated interventions in shelter homes that address both mental health and nutritional education. Tailored counseling, meal planning support, and psychosocial care are recommended to improve the overall well-being of women in these environments.
Sensory processing as a predictor of avoidant/restricted food intake disorder behavior in autistic children in Lahore, Pakistan
(UMT,Lahore, 2025) Asma Khan
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects brain development and is often marked by challenges in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Kids with ASD also often show unusual patterns in how they process sensory information, which can really affect their eating habits. One of the key eating challenges seen in autistic children is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This disorder is defined by a very selective nature towards food, where kids avoid or limit what they eat, but it isn't tied to concerns about body image. While research has shown a connection between sensory processing and ARFID worldwide, there's a lack of evidence specifically from Pakistan. So, this study set out to explore how sensory processing might predict ARFID behaviors in autistic kids in Lahore, Pakistan. We used a cross-sectional quantitative research design for our study. It focused on school-aged autistic kids who were selected from special education schools and autism centers in Lahore using purposive sampling. For data collection, we used a structured demographic questionnaire, the Short Sensory Profile-2 (SSP-2) to look at sensory processing in different areas, and a standardized ARFID screening tool to evaluate feeding and restrictive eating behaviors. We analyzed the data using SPSS, using descriptive statistics to find out how common certain issues were. We also ran inferential tests like chi-square and regression analyses to look at the links between sensory processing and ARFID symptoms. The research showed that a large number of autistic kids displayed ARFID behaviors, like having a limited variety of foods, having strong preferences, and turning down foods because of their texture, smell, or appearance. When we looked at different sensory areas, the Low Energy/Weak pattern stood out as the strongest link to ARFID, with a significant statistic (p < 0.05). Kids who had low stamina, weak muscle tone, and got tired easily were much more likely to show restrictive eating habits. On top of that, we found that Sensory Sensitivity was also related to ARFID behaviors, where kids were really responsive to textures and smells, which led to some food refusals. Regression tests backed up the idea that sensory issues, especially in the Low Energy/Weak category, were strong indicators of ARFID behaviors. The research shows that how kids with autism in Lahore process sensory information is really important for understanding their avoidant and restrictive eating habits. A key takeaway is that the Low Energy/Weak area can help predict feeding issues, highlighting the need to think about things like motor skills and sensory sensitivities when planning interventions. This has real-world implications for clinicians, therapists, and teachers, stressing the importance of early screening, sensory-focused interventions, and culturally appropriate feeding methods to assist autistic children and their families in Pakistan. The worldwide studies has shown that the children of xii Autism Spectrum disorders are often contain more sensory difficulties to some of them are hypersensitivity, sensation seeking , some are hypoactive they are affected in any of these sense and shown a atypical behavior while responding to different activities and eating behaviour as well their sensory challenges are often marked by the influence of their food choices due to food smell , taste , textures and temperature, repetitive behaviors due to Austistic traits which are leads to and are strong predictor of Avoidant Restricted food intake disorders making them picky eaters. The research has significantly both statically and by questionarre has show that the low energy week , Tactile 2 of 7 sensory profile behavior jas strongly predict the relationship with ARFID and there are strongly relationship with positive mean the more higher ARFID score the more chances to have Sensory Difficulties childrens with Lower Short Sensory profile score has shown that they are higher chances of ARFID in children with Autistics traits while showing atypical perofmas while the higher score of SSP mean lower chances of ARFID in autism spectrum disorders children. They shown the statically correlation between ARFID and Sensory profile abnormalities mean more sensory difficulties mean more chances to have ARFID the study shown the Higher risk should be determine make them assessment to provid and prevent the Health and nutritional Difficulties in Autism Spectrum disorders whereas the sensory profile and sensory effects and their respective therapies , food related behavior therapy should be done with help of Nutritionist , Psychiatrics and physiotherapist to make them off from higher risk of nutritional difficines with early detection of these senses issue in short The sensory profile are strong predictor of Avoidant restricted food intake disorders in Autistic children age between 2-18 years and intervention related to These behavior could emphasize and tailored role of ARFID in these children
Organizational culture and its impact on job performance:
(UMT,Lahore, 2026) Rabia Basri
Organizational behavior, attitudes and performance of individuals within organizations are broadly impacted by the organizational culture (Schaumberg & Flynn, 2016). Now, modern higher education institutions greatly rely on both academic and administrative staff to achieve the institutional objectives, and so the nature of organizational culture assumes greater importance. This study aims to explore that how the organizational culture influences the workers performance on the example of UMT, Lahore. The primary objective of this study is to explore the effects organizational culture can have on employee’s motivation, productivity level, job satisfaction and overall performance considering how various elements of an organization such as values/ beliefs system, type of leadership style employed, forms/styles of communication engaged in the workplace et cetera. To ensure an in-depth understanding of the research problem, a mixed-method research design is utilized along with a case study research approach. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to all UMT academic and administrative staff members, while semi-structured interviews served as a method to collect qualitative data regarding employees' experiences and perceptions pertaining to the current organizational culture. To support the theoretical framework and provide contextual background, secondary data was collected from appropriate published works (books, academic articles), research journals, and institutional documents. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed to identify recurring themes and issues and quantitative data analyzed by appropriate statistical techniques to ascertain the association between organizational culture & employee performance. Strong and positive relationships are evidenced by the findings that organizational culture and worker performance at UMT positively correlate. An inclusive and positive workplace culture translates into more dedicated, motivated, and productive employees leading to both individual performance as well as organizations’ performance. It was revealed that there were many key cultural elements associated with higher levels of performance which included, teamwork, openness, effective leadership, recognizing employees endeavours and supportive climates. But the study also highlights some pitfalls viii Abstract that researchers warn could negatively impact performance, like role ambiguity, work overload and low employee involvement in decision-making. . This study contributes to the existing knowledge about providing empirical evidence on the way organizational culture influences worker performance in a Pakistani higher educational context. This study discusses how universities need to create, cultivate and maintain a positive organizational culture as a path towards improving employee performance, institutional effectiveness and sustainability in the long run which can be beneficial for university administration and policymakers' understanding of this phenomenon. The findings and recommendations presented in the research may also serve as a guide for future studies regarding organizational culture and performance in similar organizational contexts.
Exploring how social media usage shapes political polarization among Pakistani youth
(UMT,Lahore, 2026) Mubarka Abbas
The social media has become a revolutionary contributor in developing the political conversation particularly in new democracies like Pakistan. In comparison to traditional media, social networking platforms do not have to be discontinuous, whereby a lot of politically charged content is continuously exposed, and most of that content is filtered by algorithmic systems that personalize user experience. This paper emphasizes this research gap as it examines how the use of social media influences political polarization, and the mediating variables include algorithmic exposure and political belief formation. The survey data were gathered among the active social media users in Pakistan and correlation-relationship among the variables was also analyzed by applying the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The results yield that even though the effect of the social media use on the political polarization (b = 0.075) has a minimum direct impact, the impact is much greater when it is mediated by the algorithmic exposure and formation of political beliefs. This implies that polarization does not occur due to time spent on the social media, but it is a result of the algorithmic nature of content being showcased as well as the internalization of political ideology. Credence formation became the most important route as it describes the stronghold of attitudes and polarization formed by exposure to filtered political information. The results indicate that polarization in Pakistan is not only an outcome of digital interaction but also it is significantly influenced by the manner in which people absorb and reaffirm political ideologies. By placing the ideas of selective exposure and echo chambers in a South Asian democracy, the study can be seen as a contribution to the global discussion on the topic, where the concept of partisan vi i politics and algorithmic amplification intersect to further polarize the political ideologies. It is suggested that polarization requires countermeasures in the form of interventions that would promote digital literacy, bring transparency to algorithmic processes and promote cross-cutting dialogue.
Female involvement and representation in the delivery of public services in the disaster management in Pakistan
(UMT,Lahore, 2026) TAYYABA GHAFFAR HASHMI
This study examines the participation and representation of women involved in disaster management services in Pakistan. Women have a very important role in disaster response in community and household levels although their roles in the formal institutions dealing with disasters are main uncharted. The study was to get insights on what influences the involvement of women in management of disasters, both related to structure, socio-cultural, institutional and technological. In order to obtain insights, the study interviewed 2 disaster experts, 8 NGO workers 6 students, 1 teacher and 2 field experts in a semi-structured interview. A thematic analysis has revealed six major themes in the study, which are the informal and community-based participation of women, lack of representation in formal disaster management institutions, the growth of socio-cultural norms and gender barriers, gaps in delivery of gender sensitive services, and how these processes can be enhanced by more inclusive practices. These themes have brought to focus the numerous challenges that women have to experience in disaster management, particularly, accessing leadership positions and decision-making positions. The results indicate that although the role of women in disaster management is crucial, it is usually hampered by the current policies and gender norms and practices, which restrict their success in assuming leadership roles and actively contributing to responding to catastrophes. These obstacles lead to inequality in the distribution of services and resources in conflict zones. The research states that to make women more visible and effective in disaster management, these barriers may be mitigated by educating, training, mentoring women and developing more inclusive institutional practices. In addition, the study highlights the fact that it is essential to pursue gender-sensitive policies and practices to enhance the role of women in responding to disasters and governance. Disaster management systems can be more practical, fair, and robust with the combination of these practices. The research has vii added to the prevailing body of research on gender and disaster management in developing countries and provided viable suggestions on how to ensure that women are better represented and empowered in disaster governance.