Effects of Blended Family Dynamics on the Wellbeing of Children in Kenya: Case of Kabete Sub-County in Kiambu County
Date
2017-10
Authors
Njoroge, Margaret W
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Publisher
Pan Africa Christian University
Abstract
Family changes adversely impact a child’s wellbeing including the psychological, social and academic wellbeing of the child. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of blended family dynamics on child wellbeing in Kenya using case of Kabete Sub-County in
Kiambu County. The study employed descriptive design using both qualitative and quantitative research methodology and primary data to achieve its objectives. The study employed purposive sampling techniques to select a sample size of 50 secondary school age-going children from blended families focusing on 14 – 19 years age group. The governing theory underpinning the study was the Attachment Theory by Bowlby complimented by the theory of Structural Family Therapy by Minuchin. The data was collected through use of structured questionnaires. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis method in terms of frequencies, cross tabulations and graphs with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Regarding psychological wellbeing, the study revealed that most of the respondents did not spend time with their stepparents often, and that they trusted their biological parents with secrets and not their stepparents. Within different blended family dynamics, a higher proportion of respondents with delinquent behaviours such as cheating, stealing, fighting and school absenteeism were found within stepmother families than in stepfather families or a combination of stepfather and stepmother. The results on academic wellbeing showed that a higher proportion of the respondents with fair or bad academic wellbeing were from the stepfather families than from the stepmother families. In general, the study reflects an adverse child wellbeing in both stepmother
and stepfather families. There was need for biological parents to continue to play an active role in the upbringing of their children through regular visits and creating quality time. In addition, stepparents should establish friendships with the children and foster trust and respect in order to reassure them that the new environment was safe to live in. There was generally a need for the stepfathers to step in as father figures to their step-children in order to provide the guidance that they need to enhance their academic wellbeing. There was need for a future study to compare the child wellbeing in blended families with that of traditional families.
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Keywords
Effect of Blended Family Dynamics on Psychological Wellbeing of Children in Kabete Sub-County,Blended Family Dynamics and the Social Wellbeing of Children in Kabete Sub-County,Family types and compositions
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