JA-Department of Psychology

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Open Access
Antisocial Behaviours that are More Prevalent Among Children with Complicated Grief in Selected Public Primary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya
(EdinBurg Peer Reviewed Journals and Books Publishers Journal of Sociology, Psychology & Religious Studies, 2024-06) Omucheni, Priscillah Ndunge; Mwenje, Margaret; Kamunyu, Ruth
The inability of children to comprehend and process death due to factors like chronological age, attachment of the child to the deceased, nature of death, and family support, might lead to delayed or prolonged grief processes resulting in complicated grief (CG). Complicated grief in a child’s life can affect his/her social and cognitive functioning manifesting in antisocial behaviours. This study aimed to find out antisocial behaviours that are more prevalent among children with complicated grief in selected public primary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study was guided by Attachment Theory. Multistage sampling, purposive sampling, inclusion, and exclusion criteria were used to select 259 pupils aged 10-13 years who had lost a loved one in the last year. Purposive sampling was also used to select 22 class teachers of the bereaved pupils who participated in the study. The study employed a convergent mixed-method design. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires (SDQ, ICG, and STAB) and interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Version 25.0. The findings indicated that the most prevalent antisocial behaviour was social aggression with an aggregated mean of 3.01. The findings indicated that antisocial behaviours were common among children with CG as well as those without. The most prevalent antisocial behaviour among children who had lost a loved one was social aggression. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should introduce a school-based counseling program incorporating grief intervention techniques and recommend trained counselors who do not double up as teachers to be school counselors to negate dual relationships. Public Primary schools are encouraged to develop several training programs to help teachers understand how to intervene and foster resiliency in their students who have experienced grief.
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
Challenges Counselors Face in Effecting School Counseling Programs for Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Kiambu County, Kenya
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING, 2021-03-01) Gachenia, Lucy; Mwenje, Margaret
School counseling is intended to help students overcome problems, which usually mitigate their academic performance in schools. Helping students adjust emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially enhances good academic performance. In achieving this goal of counseling especially in schools, the government has previously committed resources towards establishing counseling programs in schools. However, the reality on the ground is that there are few established counseling programs as well as few counselors to implement the said programs and this has posed a challenge to the counsellors in their effort to offer counseling to assist students to enhance their academic achievement. The aim of the study was to establish the challenges counselors face in affecting school counseling programs for academic achievement of secondary school students in Kiambu County. The objective of the study was to find out if counsellors faced challenges while offering to counsel for academic achievement. To achieve this objective the study used primary data collected from a sample of 80 secondary school-age going students from 8 schools, 8 counselors, and 8 academic deans of students from the sampled schools. The study was qualitatively done and self-determination theory was used to guide the study. Findings indicated that counselors encountered personal and professional challenges in the course of their counseling duties. For personal challenges, all counsellors (100%) reported having a difficult time balancing between teaching and counseling, all counselors (100%) noted they had insufficient time for counseling since little time was set aside in the school programs for counseling, (63%) said they had no specific rooms dedicated for counseling students, (63%) felt that the big number of students seeking counseling was a challenge while 100% stated dual relationship as a tough challenge. In regard to professional challenges, (100%) of the counsellors stated that none was compensated for extra counseling duties, (75%) had insufficient skills in academic counseling, (50%) had little support from subject teachers and from parents, 100% indicated little support from school administrators, 100% cited increased workload, 100%, lack of formal recognition from Teachers Service Commission that employs teachers and 50% felt that counselors inclusivity in school discipline committee posed a challenge. The study concluded that school counseling programs are commendable because they increase students’ academic achievement. However the study has established that school counselors should be equipped with appropriate counseling skills, their workload should be reduced and that school administration should encourage greater cooperation between teacher counselors and other members of staff as well as with parents and guardians, in order to make the counselors effort more productive. Further studies should be conducted to investigate how the school administration can be actively involved in supporting counseling programs in schools.
Open Access
Church Policy On Divorce, Coping Styles, And Psychosocial Well-Being Of Divorcees In Evangelical Churches In Nakuru, Kenya
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 2023-05-30) Chebbet, Martha; Kamunyu, Ruth; Kiarie, Jane
Background: Incidences of divorce have become rampant among Christian couples. As a result, churches have come up with policies on divorce to guide how they respond to divorcees as a growing demographic group. However, some policies may make an already bad situation worse, necessitating effective coping styles. This study examined divorcee psychosocial well-being in light of Church policy on divorce in selected Evangelical Churches in Nakuru County. Specially, the study sought to establish the predominant policy adopted by evangelical churches in the county with a view to establish the implications on divorcee wellbeing. A secondary objective of the study was to determine the coping styles of divorcees in light of church policy on divorce and what it portends for the psychosocial wellbeing of divorcees in the church. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted among 121 divorcees in selected evangelical churches in Nakuru County in Kenya. Participants were recruited into the study through snowball sampling method. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed through descriptive statistical techniques in SPSS. Results: The lesser evil principle characterized the policy on divorce applied in Evangelical Churches in Nakuru County. Divorcees exhibited high spiritual wellbeing, followed by mental wellbeing, and lastly, social wellbeing. Their wellbeing was underpinned by spiritual coping styles. Conclusion: The lesser evil principle promotes psychosocial wellbeing of divorcees. Church leaders and members of congregation should be trained on how to respond to the problem of divorce in church in a manner that promote the wellbeing of divorce and draw them near to God.
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
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
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
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 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
Effectiveness of School Counseling Programs on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Kiambu County, Kenya
(International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counselling, 2020-06) Gachenia, Lucy; Mwenje, Margaret
The school counseling program is meant to assist students to deal with psycho-social and behavioral challenges, which normally affect their academic performance. In order to achieve this goal, the Kenyan government has previously committed resources towards establishing counseling programs in schools. The aim of this study was to establish how effective these counseling programs are in assisting secondary school learners in Kiambu County to achieve academically. Primary data was derived from 80 high school adolescents, 8 counselors, and 8 academic Dean of Students who were purposively sampled from 8 schools that were randomly selected. The study was qualitatively done, and self-determination theory was used to guide the study. Data were analyzed for the identification of counseling programme characteristics and student improvement indices. These were presented in tables, charts, frequencies, and percentages based on the responses from the respondents. Further, a correlation between the two variables of the study was examined. Findings depicted that 65.7% of the students sampled said that counseling services offered at school satisfied their needs, 74.3% reported an improvement in their academic performance as a result of those counseling services and 87% felt more positive about school life after receiving counseling services. The study concluded that comprehensive counseling programs improved academic performance among high school students. The study intended to inform education planners, principals, and administrators on the role counseling would play in enhancing academic achievement among secondary school students.
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
The Elderly Peoples’ Perception of Their Psychological Wellbeing in Selected Mainstream Churches in Affluent Karen-Langata Nairobi, Kenya
(EdinBurg Peer Reviewed Journals and Books Publishers, Journal of Sociology, Psychology & Religious Studies, 2023-04) Gachuri, Esther Wangari; Wambugu, Anne; Kamau, Elizabeth
The world is experiencing exponential growth in the elderly population. Old age is a difficult time characterized by unfamiliar terrain of loss of traditional family social systems, poor health, and social challenges. It is in this backdrop that the study purposed to explore the lived experiences of the elderly which influence their psychological wellbeing from selected churches in Karen- Langata, Nairobi. The study used a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach. Purposeful sampling method was used to select 11 respondents in the in-depth interviews and 12 respondents in the focus group discussions (FGD’s). The population of the study was the category of the young-old who were 60-75 years. Verbatim data was transcribed, and descriptive themes were generated to show individual perspectives. The findings of the study indicated that elderly people felt that having family nearby, giving back to the community, and participating in church activities gave their lives meaning. Priority was not given to setting personal development goals before retirement, but the elderly fit their cultural script. The National government should have policies that ensure workers are given financial education to help them set goals while in employment to prepare for old age. To help the elderly improve their psychosocial wellbeing, mental health professionals like psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists should be made available to them. The churches should also prioritize programs for the elderly. They should have transportation arrangements for those who are unable to attend services.
Open Access
The Elderly Peoples’ Perception of Their Social Well-being in Selected Mainstream Churches in Affluent Karen-Langata Nairobi, Kenya
(THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL STUDIES, 2023-03) Gachuri, Esther Wangari; Wambugu, Anne; Kamau, Elizabeth
The world is experiencing exponential growth in the elderly population. Old age is a difficult time characterized by unfamiliar terrain of loss of traditional family social systems, poor health, and social challenges. This study examined the elderly people's own perception of their social well-being in selected mainstream churches in affluent KarenLangata, Nairobi, Kenya. The study used a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach. A purposeful sampling method was used to select 11 respondents in the in-depth interviews and 12 respondents in the focus group discussions. The population of the study was the category of the young-old who were 60-75 years. Verbatim data were transcribed, and descriptive themes were generated to show individual perspectives. According to the findings, the death of spouses, dwindling social networks, lack of social roles, and broken family ties led to isolation, loneliness, and poor social integration. Their sense of solidarity and inclusion in society was experienced through an invitation to functions and receiving and giving aid, while it was also hampered by not being visited, loss of mobility due to illness, and by living in isolated neighborhoods. In addition, belonging to welfare groups, church fellowships, and receiving economic support and social support from significant others gave the elderly people a sense of belonging and therefore influenced their social well-being. The growing elderly population should prompt policymakers to give priority to measures that will improve their social well-being. The government should review the Ksh. 2,000 given to the elderly, considering those who also retired at 60 years. Elderly-friendly insurance plans or free medical services for the elderly should be available. The churches should also prioritize programs for the elderly.
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.
Open Access
Exploring Institutional Determinants of Intention to Seek Supervision Services: A Panacea for Empowered Counselors
(Kabarak Journal of Research & Innovation, 2018) Kiarie, Jane M.; Kiptiony, Gladys J.; Mwenje, Margaret K.
Although numerous insights have been generated into the process of counseling supervision, the institutional pressure that steer counselors into seeking and adopting counseling supervision have been largely ignored. In this paper, an institutional framework, which integrates the three (3) dimensions of institutional pressure namely mimetic, coercive, and normative, is developed and hypothesized to influence counselors intention to seek counseling supervision services. The study injects a multi-disciplinary approach by utilizing DiMaggio & Powell (1983) Institutional Theory (IT). The research design was 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 32.7% 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 Normative pressure and coercive pressure had significant correlation with intention to use counseling supervision (p<0.05). Normative pressure have the greatest effect (β=.520, p<0.01) on intention, while Coercive Pressure (β=.187, p<0.05) had the least effect. The findings revealed that Mimetic Pressure β=-.088 (p>.05) had no significant effect on intention to seek supervision services. Possibly, counselors did not find the need to mimic other successful counselors, as they did not attribute such success to seeking supervision services. The study recommends that counselors training institutions should incorporate supervision training in their curriculum. Further professional counseling associations should enact legislation and implement policies that require counselors to periodically attend counseling supervision.
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
Gender Preference of Counsellors Among University Students Seeking Counselling Services
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2020-02-01) Kamunyu, Ruth; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Due to changes in traditional social set up, individuals have been estranged from their kin and community that provided the necessary support system, thus an increase in the number of individuals, both males and females looking for professional therapy. University students who mainly comprise of young adults encounter emotional and psychological issues that require therapy. The objective of this study was to look into the gender preference of students seeking therapeutic help. The study is guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. The study applied descriptive survey research design using quantitative and qualitative data. Simple stratified, random and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample three universities, 310 students and seven student counsellors. Data was gathered using in-depth interview schedules, questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions. Quantitative data was examined using descriptive statistics and then presented in Tables, Pie charts and Bar graphs. For qualitative data, emerging patterns of the content analysis is presented thematically according to research objectives. The findings reveal huge gender discrepancies among university counsellors where 57% are women compared to 43% men. The study reveals gender discrepancy among students seeking counselling in the universities where more female students than males seek counselling services according to 86% counsellors and 97% students. The study findings reveals that 54% of students prefer female counsellors as compared to 27% that prefer male counsellors. Female counsellors are preferred for being caring, nurturing and understanding. The study advocates for intake counsellors to be gender sensitive and allocate the preferred gender according to problems presented.
Open Access
Health and Integrative Wellness: Mapping Wellness and Its Cultural Psychology in Contemporary Africa
(International Bulletin of Mission Research, 2020-11-17) Michael, Matthew; Chiroma, Nathan H.; Yusuf, Hauwa’u Evelyn
The present work probes the ethnocultural psychology of African people in the creative negotiations of wellness across healing spaces. Using data drawn from ethnographic method, the research engages the cultural dynamics in the emerging ethnomedical conversations among 250 sick clients of African healing shrines, over 50 contemporary practitioners of African healing shrines, 40 biomedical doctors and nurses, and 40 church workers/Christian healers in Nigeria and Ghana. The findings of this research suggest that there are dialogic paths of ecumenical interaction, active routes of referral systems, and social contours of transborder spiritualities across contemporary African healing spaces.
Open Access
The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Job Performance: A Case of an International School in Nairobi, Kenya
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, 2019-05) Sambu, Joseph K
This study examined how emotional intelligence of teachers relates to their job performance and length of service in a selected international school within Nairobi city in Kenya. Correlational design and survey method were utilized. A purposive sampling technique was adopted where the 47 teachers in the school were given questionnaires in which they self-evaluated themselves on the two variables; emotional intelligence and job performance. The length of service of the teachers was extracted from records in the HR files. Microsoft Excel was used to generate constants for both descriptive statistics such as mean scores and standard deviations and inferential statistics which included; Pearson product moment correlation, Spearman rank, the Spearman's rho, and t values. The research found positive correlations between emotional intelligence, job performance and the length of service, hence emotional intelligence and the length of service can be used to predict job performance. Emotional intelligence theory and its applications can be adopted by international schools to promote managerial and human resource practices.
Open Access
INFLUENCE OF ETHNICITY ON MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG COUPLES IN INTERCULTURAL MARRIAGES, KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING (IJEPC), 2023-06-01) Chomba, Zipporah Nduta; Kiarie, Jane; Njani, Elizabeth
Intercultural marriages are on the rise. Similarly, heterosexual, monogamous, intercultural couples may face exclusive constraints originating from divergent ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of ethnicity on marital satisfaction among couples in intercultural marriages in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was hitched on Bowen Family System Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). The research design adopted in this research was convergent mixed methods research design. Target population for the study was 11,028 individuals in intercultural marriages. The Snowball sampling was applied to select 99 participants. Pertinent items were adapted from Multiple Heritage Couple Questionnaire (MHCQ). Quantitative data in this study was analysed through descriptive statistics to attain means andstandard deviation. Inferential statistics used linear and multiple regression analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.0 assisted to analyse data fast and efficiently. Qualitative data was simultaneously analysed thematically. Authority to embark on the study was sought from Institutional Review Board, National Council for Science and Technology and Kiambu County Government, Kenya. Results showed that ethnicity has a positive, significant influence on marital satisfaction (β = 0.402, p = 0.040) among couples in intercultural marriages. This implies that an increase in satisfaction with ethnicity positively increases marital satisfaction by 0.402. This study recommended that policy makers cultivate strategies that escalates visibility and awareness of mental health services. The study further recommended more research by mental health scholars on the influence of ethnicity on marital satisfaction among intercultural couples to enhance understanding that is essential for couples’ marital management which augments satisfaction.