Waithira Charlene2024-08-072024-08-072024-06https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/28615A 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 MvunguThere 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 levelsenThesis