JA-Department of Psychology

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Open Access
Socio-cultural and gender issues in substance abuse in Kenya
(Association of third world studies-Kenyan chapter, 2004-11-01) Njoroge, Martin C.
In the global scene, today substance abuse is said to contribute to many social problems, including the break-up of family structures, decreased productivity, injuries and automobile accidents. Criminal activity is often the result of substance abuse or the desire of money to purchase drugs. There are many factors that lead members of a specific society to abuse drugs. These could be religious, curative, cultural, social or recreational. However, some questions do arise: are there any gender disparities in substance abuse? Are there socio-cultural factors that, for example, push a man to substance abuse and leave out a woman or vice versa? What socio-cultural and gender issues do children, adults and the elderly face that predispose them to substance abuse in Kenya? What does the current literature on substance abuse say as regards gender disparity in the field? In this paper, we purpose to address the problem of substance abuse in Kenya and discuss how socio-cultural and gender disparities interplay in pushing both male and female members of society into substance abuse den. There is also a review of literature on gender and substance abuse specifically highlighting any disparities in how society generally view men and women who abuse drugs. In our discussion, the term social denotes all that relates to human society while culture summates the total range of the inherited ideas, beliefs and knowledge which constitutes the shared basis of social action. In discussing gender issues, we take account of special pre-dispositions or strengths that come about because of being male or female.
Open Access
CONTRIBUTORS TO STUDENTS’ USE OF COUNSELLING SERVICES IN KENYAN UNIVERSITIES
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010) Kamunyu, Ruth N.; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities including those in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling. This paper looks at contributors to students’ use of counselling services in Kenyan universities. These are classified into four: the social and behavioural issues, academic issues, psychological issues and economic issues. The study applied descriptive survey research design guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. The study findings indicate that both male and female students are faced with many counselling issues such as academic, psychological, social, personal, economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual. It can be concluded that the threat to masculine ideology encourages males to have more positive attitude towards seeking help for academic issues and that female students seek social psychological counselling to help them gain understanding of root causes of their problems.
Open Access
REASONS WHY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DO NOT SEEK COUNSELLING SERVICES IN KENYA
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010) Kamunyu, Ruth N.; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counseling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counseling (Khan and Williams, 2003, Raunic and Xenos, 2008) a situation that is the same in Kenya. According to university counselors, university students undergo tremendous stress from personal issues, academic pressure, career emphasis and social problems. Counseling is meant to provide linear paths for students to address their problems. However, some students are reluctant to seek help from counselors. This paper is a report on a study that sought to establish the reasons why university students in Kenya do not seek counseling services.
Open Access
PREVALENCE OF COUNSELLING SERVICES AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KENYA
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010) Kamunyu, Ruth N.; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities both private and public, including those in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling. This paper aimed at establishing the prevalence of counselling services among university students in Kenya. The study applied descriptive survey research design and guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. Findings reveal that university students are faced with various life challenges such as academic, psychological, social, personal, economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual. However, only 35% of students with issues in both private and public universities seek counselling services, either frequently or rarely, majority of which are females. The study recommends that university counsellors should initiate vigorous campaign to encourage male/female students to seek for counselling services.
Open Access
The Effect of Burnout on Teacher Counselors Work Engagement
(Kenya Journal of Guidance, Counselling and Psychology, 2011-12) Kiarie, J.M.; Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret K.
School teacher counselors are at higher risk of burnout than individuals in other occupations due to individual. interpersonal. and organizational factors. Burnout teacher counselors are a liability to the school. students. colleagues. and themselves. On the contrary, engaged teachers feel strong and vigorous at work. are enthusiastic and optimistic about the work they do and are very often immersed in that work. Using Utrecht (2003) Work Engagement Model and the Maslach and Leiter (1997) Model of Burnout, the study explored the effect of teacher counselor burnout on their work engagement. The research design adopted was a cross sectional survey employing both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The target population included all the 102 teacher counselors in secondary schools in Thika West district Kiambu County in Kenya. Data was collected using two main questionnaires adapted from Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Data analysis utilized the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) 15.0 to explore significant relations among the research variables. using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The Pearson Product Moment of Correlation Co-efficient was used to determine the extent of association between burnout and work engagement. at alpha level of 0.05 (a. = 0.05). The study generated empirical evidence on the effect of burn out on the work engagement of teacher counselors within Kenyan secondary schools. There was a strong significant inverse correlation (r=-0.508, p<0.05) between work engagement and burnout. The regression model suggests that burnout is a significant predictor of work engagement among teacher counselors and explains 25.8% of the variation in work engagement. The findings could benefit school head teachers. policymakers as well as teacher counselors and form a basis for future research in this field.
Open Access
Relationship Between Locus of Control and Criminal Behaviour Among Inmates at Thika Prison, Kenya
(Kenyan Journal of Guidance, Counselling and Psychology, 2012) Ouma, Caroline A.; Musili, Phelista M.; Mwenje, Margaret
The rate of crime in the country is increasing tremendously. Most criminals relapse back to crime once they are released after serving their jail term. This trend only shows that there is need to make Kenya prisons a transformative environment for prisoners. The study was based on Rotter's locus of control model to identify control orientation of prisoners. It is through such a process that a classification can be made of which prisoners have a disposition that is liable to transformation of attitudes and those who believe that what happens to them is not under their control. It is against this background that the present study was designed to explore the Locus of control of male and female inmates at Thika prison. A descriptive survey was adopted. The study sample comprised of 250 inmates (213 male and 37 female). Stratified random sampling was used to select participants. The survey was directed at identifying the Locus of control of inmates using the Locus of Control scale (I-E scale). Data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings established that majority of inmates manifested an internal Locus of Control, with the recidivists manifesting an external control orientation. Since internals are people who believe they can introduce order in their lives and their destiny, it can be deduced that the prison has an inability to empower and support the positive direction of inmates. The prison may also have support services which are not strong enough to redirect psychological attitudes, beliefs of recidivists. In light of these, there is there is need to incorporate professional counselling to assist recidivists to redirect their beliefs and attitudes, as a result transform their control orientation.
Open Access
Current Alcohol Use and Mental Health of Adolescents Among Secondary School Students in Nakuru County, Kenya.
(Journal of special needs and disabilities studies, 2013-07) Oteyo, John S.; Mwenje, Margaret
Adolescents engage in behaviours that compromise their health and futurepotentials. However, these behaviours are preventable. The current study was designed to establish the association between current alcohol use and the mental health state of secondary school students in Nakuru County, Kenya. Multi-stage cluster, stratified proportionate and simple random samplingmethods were used to selectparticipating divisions (n=6), schools (n=14) and students (n=1000). Global School based Health Survey (GSHS) was used to collect data on health risk behaviours. Sixteen percent (n=161) of students reported use of alcohol 30 days prior to the survey and of these 23.6 (n=38) and 32.9% (n=53) reported a low state of mental health and had seriously considered attempting suicide.The study established that an alcohol drinker was 1.3 (95% C.I: 1.282-1.878) times likely to report a low state of mental health than an alcohol abstainer. A co-occurrence between adolescents' mental health and alcohol use provide an opportunity to draw together separate areas of research in designing a comprehensive approach that may promote better health and education outcomes in secondary schools.
Open Access
The omnipresent gendered career pathways for women and the role of career counsellors in Kenya
(IJSR, 2013-08-15) Gitonga, Ciriaka M.
Girls are socialised to grow knowing that their role is taking care of the families. The homemaking role continues to override women career aspirations among the Kenyan women. With emerging trends in the last three decades in Kenya, more girls have continued to access higher education with most studies showing that they still fall under the social sciences. Very few women enroll and complete training in science and technology fields at higher education. This paper examines the role of career counsellors in informing career decision-making process for girls to empower them to aspire fields in science fields, a Kenyan perspective.
Open Access
Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health Education on Students' Sexual Behavior in Secondary Schools in Lugari District, Kenya.
(Journal of Research and Innovation, 2014) Mayabi, J.M.; Kariuki, M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Reproductive health education is a key strategy for promoting good sexual behavior among students. The study sought to establish barriers to sexual and reproductive health education on students sexual behavior in secondary schools in Likuyani division of Lugari district, Kenya. The study utilized a descriptive survey research design and targeted form two students in six selected schools in the area. A total of 241 stiudents and 30 teachers formed the study sample. Data was collected using two questionnaires, one for students and another for teachers. The questionaires were considered reliable after yielding a cronbachs coefficient of 0.70. Data collected was analysed using both Descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17. The study findings confirm that policy and programmatic gaps exists in addressing the RHE needs of the students. This is attributed to lack of clear guidelines on how to address the RHE needs of students, challenges of dealing with students' RHE in general as well as cultural constraints. The study therefore recommended the need for clear guidelines on dealing with RHE of students in schools; demystify the cultural beliefs and attitudes towards sex and reproductive education that hinder the implementation and providing training and reorientation of RHE providers. The findings of the study will assist all stakeholders, who will include ministry of education, health and the general public in appreciating the value of reproductive health education, in changing students sexual behavior.
Open Access
Psychosocial challenges faced by retired police of officers: A case of Retired Administration Police Officers in Kenya
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2014-08) Muthondeki, David; Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Police work demands and engagements and effects on the psychosocial wellbeing of the officers has been studied extensively. However, few studies have examined the psychosocial challenges experienced by retired officers. The present study examined the psychosocial challenges experienced by the retired administration police officers in Kenya and how this impacted on their psychosocial well being after their active service in the force. A descriptive survey using questionnaire and face to face interviews was used to collect data from police retirees who had left service between 1998 and 2008. The results of the study show that due to the nature of the police work and the police subculture, the officers hardly plan for their retirement hence find it difficult to adjust to life in the civilian world. The study also found that there is no psychological support system in Kenya administration police force that helps the officers’ deal with psychological challenges while on duty. As such, officers carry into retirement work related stressors that impact negatively on their psychosocial wellbeing when outside the service. The findings suggest the need for psychological support system for the police officers during active service and in the life after active service.
Open Access
Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Parental Guidance of Children
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2014-08) Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Alcohol abuse and dependence can be disabling to the family functioning and especially nurturing of the children. However, information on the effect of alcohol abuse and dependence on the role of parents as nurturers in the rural settings of Kenya is limited. The purpose of this study was to establish effects of Alcohol abuse and dependence on parents in the rural settings and how this impacted on their parental roles as nurtures and especially in guiding children. The parents who use alcohol frequently experienced alcohol related disorders that could be disabling them from their parental duties. The effects of alcohol abuse and dependence on parental guidance in Marachi central location in Butula Division in Busia County and Mathira division in Nyeri County were derived from a questionnaire and focus group discussions with parents who frequently use alcohol. A total of 83 parents, 41 from Butula Division Busia County and 42 from Mathira Division in Nyeri County participated in the study. The findings from this study indicate that alcohol abuse and dependence not only drained family resources but more importantly led to negative self assessment that worked against the role of parents as models and nurturers hence their inability in guiding children to grow into desirable persons for individual development and functioning of the society.
Open Access
Gender differences in Holland
(IJERN, 2014-09-15) Gitonga, Ciriaka M.....[et al.].
This journal article is based on a research to test the influence of gender on the choice of a degree program. The results showed that gender was significantly correlated to the Holland personality types and the choice of degree programs. The results supports Holland’s theory that gender predicts the choice of a degree program.
Open Access
Prevalence and Factors contributing to Pornography viewing among Male Students in selected Universities in Kenya.
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2014-11) Wamathai, Ann; Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Pornography viewing afforded through advanced technology has become a widespread social phenomenon globally and has contributed to changing the terrain of human sexuality in both positive and negative ways. Technology in form of computers and internet has made the availability of pornography faster and easier than ever before. However, the media provides unfiltered sexual explicit materials which when coupled with the loose regulatory mechanisms may expose university students to pornography. This paper explores the prevalence and factors contributing to viewing of pornography among male students in selected universities in Kenya. The Social Learning Theory was used to inform this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design employing a mixed method approach in data collection. Proportionate, random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 487students from public (270) and private (217) universities and four students’ counselor in Kenya. Research data was collected using a questionnaire and a structured interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistic, while the qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that 93% of the respondents had been exposed to some forms of Sexually Explicit Materials (SEM) and 16.7 % were highly exposed. The highest age in which participants were first exposed to porn viewing at 62% was between 13 to 18 years. The findings of the study revealed that the students are exposed to pornographic images found in various sources; magazines, videos, televisions, computers and internet. Forty eight percent (48%) of the respondents indicated that they use pornography to satisfy their curiosity, 43% to seek for sexuality knowledge and information and 43% for entertainment purposes. The study recommends for provision of age appropriate sexuality information and education at all educational levels, public and media forums. Strong policy guidelines and programs to control and regulate pornography use should be put in place for the betterment of humanity.
Open Access
Marriage across cultures and its implications to the church: A survey of Christ is the answer Ministries, Kenya
(PAC University journal of arts and social sciences, 2016-01-01) Kibuthu, Isaac
Marriage across cultures is not fully accepted by many ethnic groups, even among those who have embraced Christianity. The research on which this paper is based investigated the trends of Christian marriages across cultures in terms of numbers, age at marriage, motivation and ethnic groups involved. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative design methods in data collection and analysis. The population comprised seven assemblies of Christ Is The Answer Ministries. The sample consisted of 247 respondents in marriage across cultures, seven senior pastors, seven pastors’ in-charge of Family Care and Enrichment Ministry and three couples in a focus group discussion. The main data collection tool was a questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that marriages across cultures are on the increase, the age at marriage for both men and women is increasing but the age difference is decreasing. Love for one another and a common faith in Christ were found to be the main motivations to marriage. The ethnic groups leading in marriage across cultures among men are Luo, Luhya, Kikuyu and Kamba while among women are Kikuyu, Luhya, Kamba and Kalenjin. The study recommends an improvement on keeping of marriage records and members’ contacts; creation of awareness among youth and parents on marriage across cultures as a way of preparing them for such unions and dealing with ethnic prejudice/stereotypes to enhance acceptability. It is further recommended that the Church address issues of ethnicity and marriage across cultures as part of its pulpit ministry.
Open Access
Reasons Why University Students Do Not Seek Counselling Services in Kenya
(Journal of Education and Practice, 2016-08-01) Kamunyu, Ruth Njeri; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling (Khan and Williams, 2003, Raunic and Xenos, 2008) a situation that is the same in Kenya. According to university counsellors, university students undergo tremendous stress from personal issues, academic pressure, career emphasis and social problems. Counselling is meant to provide linear paths for students to address their problems. However, some students are reluctant to seek help from counsellors. This paper is a report on a study that sought to establish the reasons why university students in Kenya do not seek counselling services.
Open Access
Contributors to Students’ Use of Counselling Services in Kenyan Universities
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2016-09-01) Kamunyu, Ruth Njeri; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities including those in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling. This paper looks at contributors to students’ use of counselling services in Kenyan universities. These are classified into four: the social and behavioural issues, academic issues, psychological issues and economic issues. The study applied descriptive survey research design guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. The study findings indicate that both male and female students are faced with many counselling issues such as academic, psychological, social, personal, economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual .It can be concluded that the threat to masculine ideology encourages males to have more positive attitude towards seeking help for academic issues and that female students seek social psychological counselling to help them gain understanding of root causes of their problems.
Open Access
Prevalence of Counselling Services among University Students in Kenya
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2016-09-01) Kamunyu, Ruth Njeri; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities, both private and public, including those in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling. This paper aimed at establishing the prevalence of counselling services among university students in Kenya. The study applied descriptive survey research design and guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. Data was collected using questionnaires, indepth interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. Findings reveal that university students are faced with various life challenges such as academic, psychological, social, personal, economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual. However, only 35% of students with issues in both private and public universities seek counselling services, either frequently or rarely, majority of which are females. The study recommends that university counsellors should initiate vigorous campaign to encourage male/female students to seek for counselling services
Open Access
Pac University Journals of Arts and Social Sciences
(One Planet Publishing & Media Services Ltd, 2017) Njoroge, Martin C
Open Access
The Construction of Feminine Psychology in Swahili Women’s Nuptial Poetry-Unyago
(Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 2017-03-20) Mwai, Wangari; Mwenje, Margaret; M’Raiji, John K.
This article examines the construction of feminine psychology in Swahili women nuptial poetry-unyago. Unyago poetry is composed and performed by Swahili women. Swahili is a community located along the coastal region of Kenya. This article, therefore, focuses on intersections between psychology and poetry in analyzing and describing how unyago poetry reveals the mindsets and emotions of Swahili women. Data for analysis in article is derived from research carried out among women of Swahili decent living at Kisumu using observation and in-depth interviews as data collection methods. Unyago poetry is viewed as confessions and revelations of the female self, the marriage institution and that of the marital partner. Worth noting is the fact that the women, whose ancestors originated from the coastal region of Kenya, have preserved the nuptial rituals and teachings therein across time and space. Through unyago, the women socialize their girls from children to women and is a deeply rooted practice in their philosophy, psychology, and culture of the Swahili people. Thus, this article contends that unyago is both a reflection of group and individual psychological reactions to cultural expression through poetry.
Open Access
Exploring Individual Determinants of Counselors’ Intention to Seek Supervision Services
(Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2017-10-30) Kiarie, Jane M.; Mwenje, Margaret K.; Kiptiony, Gladys J.
Although numerous insights have been generated into the process of counseling supervision, the individual determinants that steer counselors into seeking and adopting counseling supervision have been not been well documented, especially in a developing country like Kenya. This paper utilizes the Theory of Planned Behaviour by Ajzen (1985), which integrates the three (3) dimensions of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control, that are hypothesized to influence counselors intention to seek counseling supervision services. The research design is a correlational, cross sectional research design, employing both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques. A sample of 117 practicing and accredited Counselors in Nairobi County, Kenya was used. Data was collected using a 14 item Likert Scale questionnaire adapted from items used in previous institutional research. Data analysis utilized the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 to explore significant relations among the research variables. Multiple linear regression yielded a significant model explaining 31.7% (R2 =.317, F (3, 104) =16.120, p<0.05) of the variance in the intention to seek counseling supervision. The results provide critical insights on the complexity of counselors' intention to seek supervision services. Correlation analysis suggests that Intention Decision correlated positively with Attitude (r =0.522; p < 0.01). However, the relationship between Subjective Norm (r=-0.76; P > 0.01) and Perceived Behavioural (r) 0.21; P >0.01) was not statistically significant. The three antecedents of intention account for 31.7% of the variance in intention to seek. This implies that there are other variables that are not included in this study, that account for 68.3% of the variance in intention to seek supervision services. Further, the data suggests that there were significant relationships between intention to seek supervision services and two of the variables of the study namely Attitude (β=.600, p<0.05) and Subjective Norm (β= -0.116, p<0.05). However, Perceived Behavioural control had p >0.05, hence were not significant predictor of counselors intention to seek counseling supervision services. The study recommends development of a programme to promote the uptake of counseling supervision and reduce the negative impact risk of subjective norm. Further, the paper calls for concerted efforts aimed at the individual counselor to improve the uptake and adoption of counseling supervision.