INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, NAIROBI COUNTY
INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, NAIROBI COUNTY
Julia Gakii Muthuuri - Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology of Kenya Methodist University, Kenya
Dr. Zipporah Kaaria - School of Education and Social Sciences, Methodist University, Kenya
Dr. Leunita Makutsa Makila - Lecturer, Kibabii University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
There was little focus in Kenya to mental health, such as the stigma of children who have been infected with HIV and/or students and social relationships. In compared with other peers, children who live with HIV/AIDs might have a lower social status which could lead to higher difficulties managing their HIV/AIDs diagnosis and/or treatment regimes. The requirement for an accurate evaluation of health needs of the community concerned is a key step in the resolution of this problem. Studies aimed at determining the impact on the afflicted and/or infected children of HIV factors are therefore clearly justified. The study was guided by the following objectives: to study the impact of discrimination on self-esteem of pupils in Kiambu County public elementary schools; to assess the effects on self-esteem of pupils of primary public schools in Kiambu County of denying services and socialization; and to evaluate the effects on self-esteem of pupils in the Kiambu County public primary schools. Inadequate finances and a time limit were some of the constraints of the investigation. Based on the study goals, literature has been examined. In the theoretical context, the researcher employed psychosocial and Maslow theory. A descriptive design research and explanatory research utilizing survey design and cross-sectional survey design was employed in this study. Public school students in class seven and eight in Kiambu County, which totaled 2,000, were the demographic of interest. The sample size was 333 students based on the Yamane formula with an assurance level of 95%, which corresponds to 16.65% of the overall population. The gathering of primary data was performed using a survey data process. Standardized questionnaires contributed to the investigation of a large population. Mainly the interview was used for head teachers and a few teachers to gather information especially on performance and interventions put in place to curb HIV/AIDs. The researcher used descriptive data analysis technique which includes mean, frequencies, standard deviations and percentages. The researcher used SPSS to be able to come up with comprehensive data. The researchers concluded from the above-mentioned research that the motivation certainly has an important impact on employee productivity and the impact of the questionnaire submitted by the respondents. The results in the study presents the tangible sorting of how effects of HIV/AIDs stigma related issues in question are responsible for learners self-esteem and their overall schools’ performance in general. The study recommends that since stigmatization was found to affect negatively the pupils’ self-esteem, Teachers should consider offering training on how to ensure that all the pupils learn how to coexist without other children gossiping about the pupils affected or infected with HIV/AIDs. Teachers also need to build a supportive organizational culture through training courses for efficient use of support services, communication and education programs in schools.
