Relationship between Psychological Distress and Noncompletion among Postgraduate Students in Selected Public Universities in Kenya
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Date
2021-03
Authors
Mugendi, Sophia Mwende
Githae, Eunice Njango
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ESSRAK
Abstract
Non-completion among university students is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world. Many causes of
this problem have been advanced and among them are institutional and individual reasons like financial ability,
gender and motivation to complete studies. Psychological distress though not investigated thoroughly has been
cited as one of the problems leading to non-completion. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship
between psychological distress and non-completion among postgraduate students in selected public universities
in Kenya. Weiner Attribution Theory (1985) informed the study. The study adopted a correlation research design
and it was conducted in two selected public universities in Uasin Gishu and Nairobi counties targeting a
population of 945 postgraduate students. A sample of (N=273) was obtained from the two selected public
universities through systematic random sampling. The study used questionnaires, focus group discussions and
document analysis in collecting data. Reliability of the questionnaire was established using Split half method from
a pilot study conducted in Uasin Gishu County. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was
used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze demographic data while Spearman rank
order correlation was employed to test the relationship between psychological distress and non-completion.
Findings indicated a weak negative correlation between psychological distress and non-completion, not
statistically significant, rs (229) =-.063, p ˃ .05. The study recommended that students should plan for their study
schedules and finances to ensure study period is not interrupted by roles that can be put on hold like parenting
and inadequate finances. Further, the university administration should put in place/reinforce committees that
handle non-completion among students. Development and implementation of postgraduate policy that would track
postgraduate journey, as well as establishment of course advisory, guidance and counselling for these students
were also recommended
Description
A Research Article in Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Keywords
Non-completion, Postgraduate students, Psychological distress, Public universities.
Citation
Mugendi, S., & Githae, E. (2021). Relationship Between Psychological Distress And Non-Completion Among Postgraduate Students In Selected Public Universities In Kenya. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN (2708-504X), 2(1), 43-51.