BC-Department of Psychology
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Item Open Access Effects of Pornography Addiction on Adolescents' Mental Health in Selected Secondary Schools in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kenya(PAC University, 2025-12-16) Veronicah KibeThere is concern on the steady increase of poor mental health among adolescents in Kenya. The majority of young people are introduced to pornography during their adolescence, and for many people it becomes a habit and for others it almost becomes an addiction. This study’s objectives were to establish the causes of pornography addiction among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kenya, assess the effects of pornography addiction on adolescents' mental health in selected secondary schools in Kajiado North Sub-County, and evaluate measures to curb pornography addiction among adolescents in these schools. The study was guided by the social cognitive theory and the ecological systems theory. The research design for the study was descriptive. The target population for the study comprised secondary school adolescents in selected secondary schools in Kajiado North Sub-County. The population included boys-only, girls-only, and mixed day and boarding public and private schools in the sub-county. The study employed the Yamane (1973) formula to determine a sample size of 366 adolescents. The researcher purposively sampled six secondary schools in Kajiado North Sub-County. The target population consisted of 4,337 guidance and counselling teachers and students, from which a sample of 382 respondents was selected through stratified sampling to determine the number of respondents in each school. In each of the six schools, respondents were randomly selected from each class. The study employed a census for the guidance and counselling teachers. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide. A pilot study was conducted at Ole Kasasi Secondary School. Data was recorded in Microsoft Excel before being coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the sample, while thematic analysis was employed to examine qualitative data. Findings were presented in tables, pie charts, and graphs. The study established that easy access to the internet, lack of parental control, peer influence and emotional distress were significant causes of pornography addiction among adolescents. Addiction had significant negative effects on adolescents’ mental health. Schools implemented measures against adolescent pornography addiction, including internet restrictions, digital literacy, counseling, parent workshops and engaging extracurricular activities. This study recommends that schools should implement advanced digital monitoring systems that prevent students from accessing explicit content. Parents and guardians should educate adolescents about sexuality and responsible internet use. Schools should introduce peer-led intervention programs and community-based mentorship initiatives should be established.Item Open Access Influence of Church Programs in Enhancing the Change of Antisocial Behaviors Among Youths in Deliverance Churches of Kenya, Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya(PAC University, 2025-12-16) Silas NjagiSince time immemorial, community of faith has stood out as a major avenue for transmitting behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the church in enhancing the change of antisocial behaviors among youths in Deliverance churches, Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess the influence of church programs on alcohol abuse behavior change among youths in Deliverance Churches of Kenya, Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi; to examine the influence of church programs on bullying behavior change among youths in Deliverance Churches of Kenya, Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi; to analyze the influence of church programs in promoting aggressive behavior change among youths in Deliverance Churches of Kenya, Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi; and, to identify the church program that most effectively addresses antisocial behaviors among youths in Deliverance Churches of Kenya, Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi. Aaron Beck’s cognitive behavioral theory guided the study. The study employed a convergent-parallel mixed method research design and adopted purposive sampling technique to select a sample size of 90 youths and 10 youth leaders from 10 Deliverance Churches, Njiru SubCounty. Quantitative data was gathered by use of questionnaires, while qualitative data was gathered using a structured interview guide. Descriptive, correlation, and linear regression models were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic technique, and the findings displayed in tables and figures. Results showed that discipleship significantly reduced alcohol abuse (β = -0.485, p < .01), while Peer counseling, Bible study, and evangelism showed no significant effects. Discipleship (β = -0.449, p < .01), Bible study (β = -0.225, p < .05), and Evangelism (β = -0.295, p < .05)significantly reduced bullying behavior, while peer counseling had no significant effect. The study showed that Bible (β=.199, t=1.739, p>.05), evangelism (β=.102, t=.794, p>.05, and discipleship (β=−.028, t=−.228, p>.05) had non-significant association with aggressive behavior. Qualitative analysis showed that alcohol abuse and sexual immorality emerged as salient themes as the most challenging antisocial behaviors among the youth in the church. In terms of effectiveness of church programs, discipleship and Bible study stood out as prominent themes. The study concluded that discipleship significantly impacted alcohol abuse and bullying behavior positively. Bible study helped with moral development, but peer counseling and evangelism showed limited effects. The study recommended that church programs should put more emphasis on discipleship as the primary strategy to curb antisocial behavior among the youth in church. Further research should broaden the scope of youth antisocial behaviors to encompass a wider range of behavioral and psychological issues, such as mental health disorders and sexual immorality, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of church programs for youth behavior change.Item Open Access Socio-Economic Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Family Stability: A Case of Nuclear Families In Utawala Ward, Nairobi City County, Kenya(PAC University, 2025-12-16) Priscilla Kananu M‘MwendaFamily stability plays a vital role in maintaining social stability. The family is recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the natural and foundational unit of society; thus, the family is deserving of protection from both society and the State. The socio-economic well-being of the family has a major effect on its stability. Following the Covid-19 disruption, families experienced major socio- economic downturns, which they continue to grapple with to date. These presented challenges of meeting basic needs, which in turn adversely affected family stability. This study was guided by systems theory purposed to determine the socio-economic effects of Covid-19 on family stability among nuclear families in Utawala Ward, Nairobi City County. Four objectives guided the study thus: to establish the effect of economic conditions of Covid-19 Pandemic on the nuclear family stability in Utawala Ward, Nairobi City County, to assess the effect of communication during Covid-19 Pandemic on the nuclear family stability in Utawala Ward, Nairobi City County, to establish the effect of cohesion during Covid-19 Pandemic on the nuclear family stability in Utawala Ward, Nairobi City County and to assess the effect of spiritual orientation during Covid-19 on the nuclear family stability in Utawala Ward, Nairobi City County. The research used descriptive study design. The population targeted comprised of nuclear families in Utawala Ward of Embakasi East Sub-County of Nairobi City County. The researcher used purposive sampling and simple random sampling methods to identify the study respondents. The sample population was 97 families. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analysed using quantitative techniques (measures of central tendencies) that is mean and standard deviation scores as well as correlation coefficients aided by SPSS (Version 28), and presented using tables and charts. Qualitative analysis was undertaken using thematic analysis. Results were presented in the form of narratives. The study findings indicated a significant negative relationship between economic conditions and family stability (r= -0.381, p-value > 0.05) during the Pandemic. A unit increase in the prevailing economic conditions was associated with a 0.381 decrease in family stability. Communication was significantly associated to family stability (r = 0.415, p-value < 0.05), implying that a unit increase in communication was associated with a 0.415 improvement in family stability. Cohesion was also significantly correlated to family stability (r= 0.483, p-value < 0.05) implying that a unit increase in cohesion was associated with a 0.483 improvement in family stability. There was also a significant positive relationship between spiritual orientation and family stability (r= 0.606, p-value < 0.05) implying that a unit improvement in the spiritual orientation was associated with a 0.606 improvement in family stability. The study recommends that the government consider implementing targeted economic recovery programs aimed at supporting small and family-owned businesses. This could include providing low-interest loans, grants, and tax relief to help businesses recover from the financial setbacks caused by the Pandemic. The spiritual institutions should educate families on the concept of spiritual resilience, which involves using spiritual beliefs and practices to overcome adversity. Workshops or seminars could be organized to teach families how to draw strength from their spiritual beliefs during crises, thereby enhancing their overall stability. Families should allocate time for shared activities that foster bonding, such as meals, game nights, or outdoor activities, to strengthen relationships and reduce interpersonal conflicts.