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Item Clinical and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Psychosocial Distress in Women with Breast Cancer in Nairobi, Kenya(International Journal of Professional Practice (IJPP), 2023) Muriithi, Wanjiru; Kaaria, Zipporah; Mapesa, JobResearch shows that 25%–50% of breast cancer patients worldwide experience distress, with Africa reporting 71% and Kenya 34-50% distress cases. This study investigated clinical and socio- demographic predictors of breast cancer patients' psychosocial distress. Poor quality of life outcomes, reduced adherence to treatment, and inferior clinical and psychosocial functioning are all associated with psychosocial distress. This study adopted an exploratory, sequential cross- sectional design. The study targeted 763, 18–70-year-old female breast cancer patients. Breast cancer patients, nurses, lay navigator, and oncologists were enlisted through opportunity sampling technique for collection of both the qualitative and the quantitative data. Interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires were used to collect data. Using a total score of >11, with NCCN cut-off mark of >4 for clinically significant distress; and >7 for severe distress, psychosocial distress was screened using distress thermometer and problem checklist. Notably, income and stage of diagnosis emerged as significant predictors of psychosocial distress, clinical anxiety, and depression. Income predicted severe distress (OR = 5.5, p = 0.001), anxiety (OR = 2.8, p = 0.004), depression (OR = 4.7, p = 0.001), and early diagnosis had an inverse relationship with distress (OR = 0.3, p = 0.006) and depression (OR = 0.5, p = 0.049). Still, testimonials showed that young women had more emotional distress, while elderly women had more physiological distress. Marriage provided two insurance policies. The study emphasises understanding of emotional and psychological distress factors, identifying patients who need extra help, and using psychotherapy and social interventions to alleviate suffering, enhance resilience, and improve treatment outcomesItem Influence of Parenting Task on Psychological Well-being of Parentally- Bereaved Adolescents in Kiambu County, Kenya(nternational J ournal of Professional P ractice (IJPP), 2023) Muchiri, Margaret Muriko; Kaaria, Zipporah; Kaberia, Angela.Parents must provide safety and sustenance, social-emotional support, instruction, supervision, and socialization to their children. The death of a parent alters parenting tasks and when the remaining parent remarries, adolescents in such families face additional challenges unique to blended families. The current study examined how parenting task influences the psychological well-being of parentally-bereaved adolescents in Kiambu County. Guided by Attachment Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. Using snowball sampling, 132 parentally bereaved adolescents from reconstituted families and 10 key informants (social workers, clergies, and foster parents) were recruited. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires and FGD respectively. Pilot study helped in testing tool validity and reliability. The study used descriptive statistics, mean, percentage, frequency, and standard deviation, to analyze the quantitative data. Thematic analysis using a latent approach was used to analyze qualitative data. Findings indicated low levels of autonomy (mean score 2.47 and standard deviation 0.926) and self-acceptance (mean score 2.40 and standard deviation 1.048) as a measure of psychological well-being. The score on the parenting task was low as indicated by a mean score of 2.64, and a standard deviation of 0.934. The score of inferential statistics indicated a statistically significant regression model, predicting that parenting tasks influenced parentally bereaved adolescents’ psychological wellness (Sig. value = 0.000). Regression analysis showed a strong and significant link between parenting tasks (coefficient value of.264, p-value of. 013). Bereaved adolescents expressed low levels of psychological wellness and parenting task in such families strongly and positively related to low psychological wellness. The researcher recommends that the staff handling children and family matters in government and nongovernmental institutions including religious leaders, need to be guided by the study finding in creating intervention tools for psychological support for parentally bereaved adolescents.Item Influence of Family Estrangement on Development of Mental Disorders among Refugees: A Case of Hagadera Camp in Daadab, Garissa County(International Journal of Professional Practice (IJPP), 2023-11) Mohamed, Saadia; Kaaria, Zipporah; Kaberia, AngelaWhen compared to the normal population, refugees are more prone to psychosocial distress, which leads to the development of mental disorders. The current study sought to examine how family separation impact on the development of mental disorders among refugees. The study’s objective was to examine the influence of family separation on the development of mental disorders among refugees living in Hagadera Refugee Camp in the Daadab Complex. It employed descriptive research design, and was guided by the Attachment Theory. Simple random sampling method was used to recruit 200 participants from a population of approximately 600 refugees who visited Hagadera Mental Clinic monthly. Quantitative data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The study used descriptive statistics, including standard deviation, percentage and mean, to analyze data. Presentation of results was done by use of tables. The findings indicated presence of different mental disorders among participants, where the prevalence of mood disorders (40.5%), anxiety disorders (39%), PTSD (8%), schizo-affective disorders (4.5%), narcolepsy (3.5%), psychosis (1.5%), somatic complaints (1.5%), stress (1%), and affective disorder (0.5%). Other findings indicated that family separation was pronounced, at a mean score of 3.16 (the highest score was 4.02 and the lowest score was 2.68). The regression model (Sig. value = 0.000) predicted that family separation contributed to the development of mental disorders among refugees. Regression analysis indicated a strong and a significant relationship between development of mental disorders and family separation (coefficient value = .417, p-value = .001). This understanding strengthens the relevance of tailor-made psychological intervention to address issues emanating from familial separation among the refugee community. Policy makers like UNHCR should enhance humanitarian services including refugee repatriation and communication. More studies need be conducted to establish if other psychosocial factors correlate with the development of mental disorders among refugees.Item INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, NAIROBI COUNTY(International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2021-08) Muthuuri, Julia Gakii; Kaaria, Zipporah; Makila, Leunita MakutsaUniversity students face numerous psychosocial challenges that contribute to poor academic performance. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of selected psychosocial challenges on academic performance of first year students in Kenyatta University. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine the influence of relational factors on academic performance of first year students in Kenyatta University, to determine the influence of emotional stability on academic performance and to identify strategies that can be used to help the first year students to overcome psychosocial challenges affecting their academic performance. The study was guided by Social Learning Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. The study adopted descriptive survey design, stratified sampling techniques were used to select 560 students’ respondents from target population which were first year students at Kenyatta University. Data were gathered utilizing an interview and questionnaire routine. The study used descriptive to analyze the questionnaire and the interview guide while the multiple linear regression model was used to analyze quantative date with the aid of SPSS. The findings of the study were presented in tables and pie charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and presented verbatim as per the objectives of the study. Validity was ensured by using standard data collection tool and method hence ensuring that data obtained represent variable of the study. A pilot study was performed to identify and identify any issues not readily understood or poorly built. The study used the test-retest-method to ensure reliability. The study found that first-year students face multiple difficulties concerning relational and emotional issues. Some of the most common problems in the study were time, workload and expectations for the two cohorts, balancing relationships with peers, meeting academic performance expectations, freedom of choice in course selection and personal inhibitions such as feelings of loneliness and depression among others. The study further found that based on the selected psychosocial challenges affecting the academic performance of first-year students in Kenyatta University, interventions addressing these issues had already been put in place and they include: Often psychological and evaluations, time-bound treatment, emotional support, personal development groups or references to external psychological services, are the student counseling services given. Social integration has been utilized to help solitude and relationship difficulties. This is done by encouraging students to engage in any academic, cultural and sporting activities. The university also offers orientation programs for students joining the university. The institution provides a culture of university and also gives the students advice concerning the university. To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs in place, the University has taken measures to widen the scope of their focus in future by providing programs during the orientation week for first year’s students to get to know each otherItem Preretirement Preparation Influence on Adjustment of Retirees: A Case of Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Nairobi County(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE, 2020-08) Akinyi, Odera Jenipher; Kaaria, Zipporah; Makila, Leunita MakutsaRetirement occurs when one leaves formal employment to other engagement that may not be part of their previous work. It can also be seen as cessation of one stage of life to a new one. Most studies have concentrated on allocation and disbursement of pensions and the experiences of the retirees. Few studies have identified psychosocial factors that influence the adjustment of retirees from civil service in Kenya. The focus of the study was on the retirees of MITC. The study’s purpose was to establish the extent to which preretirement preparations influence adjustment of the retirees. The study was based on continuity theory, Jahoda’s latent Deprivation model and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Descriptive research design was applied using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study established that the retirees from MITC were of the view that the Ministry did not do enough to facilitate various supportive programs that would have enabled them adequately plan and prepare for their retirement.Item Parents’ Role In Career Guidance Among Secondary School Students In Kikuyu Sub-County: A Case Of Kiambu County – Kenya(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE, 2020-06) Wang’ombe, Wanjiku; Kaaria, Zipporah; Kithinji, WinfredParents invest heavily in their children’s education with career success as the desired outcome. Since adolescent’s decision-making ability is still developing, they need guidance from adults such as parents and teachers when making career decisions. The objective of the study was to identify parent engagement strategies used in career guidance. The study involved mixed methods of social inquiry under a descriptive research design. A sample of 207 parents was chosen from Form 3 pupils of 17 schools in Kikuyu Sub-County. The study established that circulars and newsletters were the most common methods used while career days / expos and parents meetings were the most common interactive programs offered by secondary schools in Kikuyu SubCounty to assist parents in providing career guidance to their children. A wide range of interventions could be adopted to help improve the effectiveness of career guidance by parents in secondary schools in Kikuyu SubCounty.