Relationship between Classically Conditioned Cues and Harmful Alcohol Use among Kenyatta University Students in Nairobi City County, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Micheni, Julian Makena | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-12T11:56:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-12T11:56:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-10 | |
| dc.description | A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Art and Social Science in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology of Kenyatta University, October 2024. Supervisor Agnes Nthangi | |
| dc.description.abstract | Overindulgence in alcohol among university students has been associated with negative outcomes worldwide. Numerous detrimental health and behavioral outcomes among youths, such as poor mental health and wellbeing, increased injury, being victims of crime, and subpar academic performance, have been connected to these observed alcohol levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between classically conditioned cues and harmful alcohol use among Kenyatta University students in Nairobi City, Kenya. The classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theories were used to guide the study. The study used the correlational research method, and the sample size was determined using the table created by Krejcie and Morgan (1970), yielding a sample size of 381 respondents. The researcher screened the general population of students using the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) Volume 3.0. Questionnaires with Likert scale questions were also used to collect data. Those who met the criteria of moderately high or high risk were included in the study. Simple random sample design was used to select the study participants. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 aided in the analysis of data from questionnaires. This data was subjected to both descriptive analyses using percentages and mean scores and inferential statistical analysis. Pearson correlation coefficient test to test the null hypotheses to establish if there are significant relationships between independent and dependent variables. The study established that a significant proportion of the respondents engage in regular alcohol consumption, with the majority (50.8%) consuming alcohol 1-4 times weekly. This indicates a potentially moderate level of alcohol use within the surveyed population. Also, a significant association was found between subjective mood, classical conditioning cues, and harmful alcohol use among students. There is a significant association between subjective mood classical conditioning cues and harmful alcohol use among students. The P-value in inferential statistics is 0.437, which is therefore an indication of a significant relationship between the two variables. There is a significant impact of situational classical conditioning cues on students' harmful alcohol use. P-value = 0.089 and <0.05, therefore an indication of a strong relationship between situational classical conditioning cues and harmful use of alcohol among students. The presence of drinking peers plays a significant role in shaping harmful alcohol use among students. r=0.364, which is <0.05. The results demonstrated a high percentage of students who agreed or strongly agreed with various statements regarding peer influence and alcohol consumption. Temporal conditioning cues significantly contribute to alcohol cravings among students, hence influencing harmful alcohol use. Among the recommendations, there is need for the university to develop and implement policies and practices in educational institutions, bars, and social venues within the institutions to minimize the visibility and availability of alcohol cues, especially for students living in the university’s halls of residence. This may involve strategic placement of non-alcoholic alternatives in shops and other outlets within the institution, minimizing alcohol-related visuals, and implementing responsible alcohol serving practices, especially close to learning institutions such as universities. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29774 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Relationship between Classically Conditioned Cues and Harmful Alcohol Use among Kenyatta University Students in Nairobi City County, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis |