Browsing by Author "Chege, Simon Mbaro"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Creative Industries on the Living Standards of the Youth: The Case of Mombasa County
    (International Academic Journal of Social Sciences and Education, 2026-03) Chege, Simon Mbaro; Wainaina, Lawrence; Njoroge, Nicolous Muiruri
    Introduction: Creative industries are increasingly recognized as important drivers of economic development, cultural expression, and youth employment. In Kenya, the sector provides opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and income generation among young people. Despite this potential, empirical evidence on the influence of creative industry participation on youth living standards remains limited, particularly in coastal regions such as Mombasa County. This study examined the influence of creative industry participation on the living standards of youth in Mombasa County, Kenya, focusing on economic, social, and cultural dimensions of engagement. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed among youth aged 18–35 years engaged in creative industries in Mombasa County. The study targeted 1,897 registered youth groups involved in activities such as music, performing arts, fashion, visual arts, and digital media. A sample of 331 participants was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan formula and selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and 302 valid responses were obtained, representing a response rate of 91.2%. Results: The findings indicated that years of creative engagement and educational attainment were positively associated with economic well-being (r = 0.284, p < 0.001; r = 0.198, p = 0.002). Community engagement (r = 0.401, p < 0.001) and social inclusion (r = 0.318, p < 0.001) were strongly associated with social integration. Cultural identity (r = 0.462, p < 0.001) and appreciation of cultural diversity (r = 0.379, p < 0.001) were significantly related to cultural enrichment. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that economic well-being (β = 0.301, p < 0.001) and social integration (β = 0.218, p = 0.002) significantly predicted youth living standards, while cultural enrichment showed a positive but statistically nonsignificant relationship (β = 0.104, p = 0.084). Conclusion: Participation in creative industries contributes to improved youth livelihoods in Mombasa County through economic opportunities and strengthened social networks. Economic and social dimensions of creative engagement demonstrate stronger effects on living standards than cultural factors. Strengthening institutional and policy support for creative enterprises can enhance youth participation in sustainable economic and social activities within the creative economy.