Computer-Mediated Communications Usage and Romantic Relationship-Satisfaction among Undergraduate Students at Universities in Mombasa County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Muthui, Mercy Kavuli
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Technology advances have turned the world into a global village. This has been made possible through the use of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), which has become a preferred mode of communication by most people across the world and in Kenya too. Young adults, being the highest users of CMCs, its essential to understand how they use this technology and its impact on different aspects of life. At this stage too, young adults are characterized by the creation and maintenance of diverse relationships. However, there is little literature that tried to explore the experience of young adults with CMC and how it influences their satisfaction in romantic relationships. Hence, this study sought to establish the relationship between computer-mediated communications and romantic relationship satisfaction among undergraduate students in Mombasa County, Kenya. The study objectives were: to establish the relationship between CMC usage and intimacy in undergraduate students‟ romantic relationships; to investigate the relationship between CMC usage and emotional security in undergraduate students‟ romantic relationships; to determine the relationship between CMC usage and trust levels in undergraduate students‟ romantic relationships; lastly to find out possible strategies that would promote responsible CMC usage in romantic relationship among undergraduate students in universities in Mombasa County. Erik Erikson‟s Psychosocial Theory and Social Exchange Theory developed by George Homans guided the study. The target population was 9,883 undergraduate students drawn from one public university and one private university. Quota sampling was used to select participants for the study. A sample size of 370 participants was obtained using a formula recommended by Mugenda & Mugenda (1999). Romantic relationship satisfaction was assessed using a Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI-32) adapted from Funk & Rogge (2007). Questionnaires were administered to the students and 6 key informants were identified who took part in semi-structured interviews, they included; student leaders, dean of students, senior lecturers and counsellors from each university. A pilot study was done on 29 final year students from Kenyatta University, Mombasa campus. Validity was ensured through the review of empirical and theoretical literature, and the research instrument by the supervisor the reliability of the instruments was computed and a Cronbach‟s coefficient of 0.75 was found. Quantitative data was processed and analyzed using SPSS version 21 and Advanced Excel, while qualitative data which included the excerpts and quotes from the interviews was analysed by content analysis. The data was subjected to descriptive analysis using percentages, frequencies and mean scores, while inferential statistical analysis using Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (r). Results were presented using tables and figures. Results revealed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between computer-mediated communication usage and intimacy levels, r (350) = 0.554, P=0.004<0.05, and the mean value was 4.3120 (SD = .37975); the CMC usage and emotional security, r (350) = 0.784, P=0.008<0.05 with a mean value of 4.1265 (SD= .37970); CMC usage and trust levels among the undergraduate students, r (350) = 0.777, P=0.007<0.05 and the mean value was 4.1588 (SD= .53620). The study concluded that there existed a significant relationship between CMC usage and romantic relationship satisfaction. The study recommended possible strategies that would promote the healthy use of CMC usage among students and society at large. Lastly, further studies on other factors that relate to CMC usage, the dimensions of engagement against computer-mediated devices and a comparative study to be done in other counties were recommended.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School Of Law, Art and
Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Counseling Psychology) of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Computer-Mediated Communications Usage, Romantic Relationship-Satisfaction, Undergraduate Students, Universities, Mombasa County, Kenya