Psychosocial Support as Determinant of Academic Achievement among University Students in Kenya
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Date
2024-02
Authors
Ntoiti, Anne Kathure
Kigen, Edward Munyengwo
Kinai, Theresia Kavuli
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJSSERS
Abstract
The goal for every academic institution is the provision of quality education. Most university
students are in a state of transition from adolescence to adulthood. During this period, they
grapple with issues of identity and less adult supervision. This study examined psychosocial
support as a determinant of academic achievement among students in Kenyan universities. The
study utilized Psychosocial Theory of Development by Erik Erikson. The research was designed
as a Cross-Sectional Analytical research. The population targeted was 2nd and 3rdyear students
in 4 purposively selected universities in Kenya. A total of 340 students, 80 peer counselors, 4
deans of students and 4 student counselors participated in the study. Data collection tools
included a Students’ Questionnaire, Interview Schedules for both the Deans of Students and the
Student Counselors as well as a Focus Group Discussion guide for peer counselors. Data was
analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 20)for inferential and descriptive
statistics. Inferential statistics were conducted using Path Analysis while qualitative data was
thematically analyzed. Research findings indicated that students relied more on family members,
friends, and peer counselors for psychosocial support. The Path Analysis Model revealed that
psychosocial support directly impacted GPA scores. Therefore, psychosocial support was
established to be a determinant of academic achievement among university students in Kenya.
Policymakers can use these findings to improve psychosocial support services awareness to
enhance academic achievement among University Students.
Description
Article
Keywords
Academic achievement, psychosocial support, Psychosocial Theory of Development, peer counselling
Citation
Ntoiti, A. K., Kigen, E. M., & Kinai, T. K. PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AS DETERMINANT OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KENYA.