Relationship between Selected Forms of Child Abuse and Social Behaviour in Selected Juvenile Schools in Kiambu County, Kenya
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Date
2025-04
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kiambu County has been witnessing a rise in offenses committed by juvenile children. The highest numbers of recorded cases are committed by young school children (KNBS, 2019). Likewise, abuse of children is a concern among the Kenyan communities. The objective of this study was to examine and determine whether different types of child abuse had a significant relationship with social behaviours of children in selected juvenile schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. Specifically, it assessed whether physical, emotional, and sexual abuse significantly influenced social behavior. The study was anchored on Social Disorganization Theory and General Strain Theory. A correlational research design was adopted, targeting 2,500 children in juvenile schools. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 344 children was selected through simple random sampling. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires. A pilot study involving 19 respondents from Kabete Rehabilitation Center was conducted but excluded from the main study. In analyzing data, the study applied descriptive statistics to describe the variables and inferential statistics to tell the nature of relationship between the variables. Descriptive statistics applied were percentages, frequency, mean as well as standard deviation. To test the hypotheses the researcher used Pearson Correlation and regression analysis. Findings revealed that child abuse was highly prevalent in juvenile schools, with physical abuse (54.01%–96.91%), emotional abuse (54.32%–82.41%), and sexual abuse (50.62%–78.46%). All three forms of abuse were found to have a strong, positive, and significant relationship with lower-scale social behavior. The study concluded that physical, emotional and sexual abuses are commonly experienced by children in juvenile schools and that the physical, emotional and sexual abuse on children may make them vulnerable to lower scale social behaviours. The study recommended adoption of positive discipline strategies and caregivers’ empowerment through psychoeducation and sound policies.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of (Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology) of Kenyatta University, April 2025.
Supervisor
Simon Ndirangu