Relationship between Maladaptive Cognitions and Levels of Internet Use among Students in Public Day Secondary Schools in Mombasa County, Kenya.
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Date
2024-06
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
There is increased internet access and usage among secondary school students in
Kenya, as a result of available internet connection through mobile phones. Many
adolescents in Kenya own smart phones or can at least access one thus increased
likelihood of unhealthy internet use levels that can impact their lives negatively. The
primary objective of this study was to investigate the connection between
dysfunctional cognitions patterns and the extent of internet usage among students
attending secondary schools in public day schools located in Mombasa, Kenya. To
accomplish this, the study aimed to: evaluate the extent of internet utilization among
secondary school students attending public day schools in Mombasa County, examine
the typical internet usage patterns of secondary school students in public day schools
in Mombasa County, gauge the presence of maladaptive cognitions regarding internet
use among secondary school students in public day schools in Mombasa County,
ultimately, establish the connection between maladaptive cognitions related to
internet use and the levels of internet usage among secondary school students in public
day schools in Mombasa County. The study's theoretical foundation was based on the
Cognitive Behavior Model of Excessive Internet Usage. It employed a correlational
research design to determine the connections between the variables. The study's target
population wasstudents attending secondary schools in Mombasa County's public day
schools. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select three Girls’ schools, three
Boys’ schools and three mixed schools. In the subsequent phase, 45 students were
chosen from each of the nine schools that were part of the study, resulting in a
combined sample of 405 students. Data collection involved the utilization of a selfreport questionnaire and two standardized tools. The data analysis encompassed
descriptive statistics, which included frequencies and percentages, as well as Pearson's
Coefficient of Correlation, denoted as 'r,' to assess the extent of the relationship
between internet usage levels and maladaptive cognitions. The study found that there
was a significant correlation between maladaptive cognitions and unhealthy internet
use levels. The findings may help counsellors, educationists, teachers and parents to
come up with effective prevention programs and intervention measures for unhealthy
internet use levels
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Arts, Law and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) of Kenyatta University June, 2024
supervisor
Eunice Njeri Mvungu