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CAREER GUIDANCE AND CAREER CHOICE SATISFACTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA
(THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA, 2024-11-22) ESTHER KEREBI NYAMACHE
There has been a growing concern over the alarming number of students who fail to complete their courses in universities. This factor has led many students to put pressure to change courses, drop out or eventually lead to job dissatisfaction or underperformance at the workplace. This study assessed the relationship between career guidance and other factors on career choice satisfaction among undergraduate students in selected universities within Nairobi County, Kenya. The objectives of the study included; to assess students’ satisfaction levels, to evaluate the family role in career choice satisfaction; to examine the influence of role models on career choice satisfaction; to investigate the effect of school career guidance on career choice satisfaction; to investigate the impact that personality type has on career choice satisfaction; and to recommend the strategies of improving career guidance among undergraduate university students within Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by Lent, Hackett and Brown's Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and John Holland's Theory of Career Choice (RIASEC). The study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The target population was 25,153 first-year undergraduate students from 13 universities in Nairobi County. The stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to collect data for the quantitative study. The sample size was 347 first-year undergraduate students from two public chartered universities and three private chartered universities, selected from a population of 12,137 students. The respondents were 320, and the data analysis involved descriptive statistics using frequencies, percentages, standard deviations and means. ANOVA test and Pearson correlation test were used for inferential statistics. The analysed data was presented in the form of figures and tables. In the qualitative study, purposive sampling was used, where 20 participants were selected for the FGDs, and the data was subjected to content analysis and verbatim narratives. The main findings established that private university students were more satisfied with their career choices than public university students. Families play a major role in the children's career choice satisfaction (statistically significant at p 0.000 < α (0.0.1). The same case applies to role models, school guidance and a student’s personality types. Furthermore, KUCCPS had a low contribution to career choice satisfaction (mean=2.63; SD=1.441), and an increase in neuroticism led to career choice dissatisfaction. The recommended strategies included creating family and teacher awareness and enhancing KUCCPS service delivery. Future studies should explore the reasons why private university students are more satisfied with their career choices than public university students. The major recommendation is that the government should establish an integrated system of operation to incorporate all the stakeholders in the promotion of career guidance in all schools.
Influence of Religious Cultural Strategies on Students’ Behaviour Modification in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Nandi County.
(2025) Korir Richard Kimeli; Dr. Stephen Asatsa; Dr. Jennifer Munyua
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Cultural strategies of training discipline on students’ behaviour modification in Public mixed secondary schools in Nandi County, Kenya. This is in the light of concern that indiscipline cases are increasing in schools despite existence of Guidance and counselling programs. The specific objective was to determine the influence of religious cultural strategies of training discipline on students’ behaviour modification. Multicultural Theory guided the study. Sequential mixed research design was adopted. The target population was 74048 respondents comprising of students, teacher counsellors and Deputy Principals. Proportionate stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques was used. Quantitative data was collected from students using questionnaire and Interview guide collected qualitative data from Deputy Principals. A pilot study was conducted among 39 students, 2 teacher counsellors and Deputy Principals each to test validity and reliability of the research instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard deviations. Inferential statistics was done to test hypotheses by using analysis of variance. From the findings there was a statistically significant mean difference between religious cultural strategies groups (F (2,375) = 109.105, p= .000) and students’ behaviour modification. There was a positive significant effect of religious cultural strategies and students’ behaviour modification. The study concluded that religious
cultural strategies of training discipline had a significant influence on students’ behaviour
modification in public mixed secondary schools in Nandi County. The study recommended that
school administrators should clearly spell out the rules and regulations guiding the expected
behaviour of students within the school environment. The study findings will benefit the
Ministry of Education, principals, deputy principals, community elders and counsellors to
monitor and improve on student behavour in schools.
Effect of Preventive Cultural Strategies on Students’ Behaviour Modification in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Nandi County.
(2025) Korir Richard Kimeli; Dr. Stephen Asatsa; Dr. Jennifer Munyua
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of preventive strategies of training
discipline on students’ behaviour modification in Public mixed secondary schools in Nandi
County, Kenya. The specific objective was to determine the influence of preventive cultural
strategies of training discipline on students’ behaviour modification. Multicultural Theory guided
the study. Sequential mixed research design was adopted. The target population was 74048
respondents comprising of students, teacher counsellors and Deputy Principals. Proportionate
stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques was used. Quantitative
data was collected from students using questionnaire and Interview guide collected qualitative
data from Deputy Principals. A pilot study was conducted among 39 students, 2 teacher
counsellors and Deputy Principals each to test validity and reliability of the research instruments.
Quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard
deviations. Inferential statistics was done to test hypotheses by using analysis of variance. From
the findings, most of the students, developed self-control due to mentorship, superstitions in the
society have made them learn to obey and don’t engage in irresponsible sex because of fear of
punishment associated with it. There was a statistically significant mean difference between
preventive cultural strategies (F (2,375) = 61.52, p = .000) and students’ behaviour modification.
There was a positive significant effect of preventive cultural strategies and students’ behaviour
modification. The study concluded that preventive cultural strategies of training discipline highly
influenced students’ behaviour modification in public mixed secondary schools in Nandi County.
The school administrators should clearly spell out the rules and regulations guiding the expected
behaviour of students within the school environment. This will enable counsellors to apply an
appropriate strategy to manage deviant behaviour. The study findings will benefit the Ministry of
Education, principals, deputy principals, community elders and counsellors to monitor and
improve on student behaviour in schools.
Regulating community well-being through traditional mourning rituals: Insights from the Luhya People of Kenya
(Evolution, Medicine, & Public Health, 2025-01) Stephen Asatsa; Sheina Lew-Levy; Stephen Ngaari Mbugua; Maria Ntaragwe; Wilkister Shanyisa; Elizabeth Gichimu; Jane Nambiri; Jonathan Omuchesi
Background and objectives: Rituals have been reported to serve as a vital mechanism for expressing grief and fostering communal support worldwide. Despite these benefits, use of rituals in Indigenous communities is threatened by missionization, globalization, and westernization. This study sought to examine the relevance of traditional mourning rituals in community morality and well-being. Anchored in cultural evolutionary theory, the study employed an ethnographic research design.
Methodology: Data were collected from 45 community elders, 30 bereaved adults, 30 bereaved adolescents, and 8 religious leaders through focus group discussions and interviews.
Results: The study established five mourning rituals practiced by the Luhya people, each potentially
serving an evolutionary function for community survival and well-being. Our findings show that Luhya traditional mourning rituals play an important role in community well-being, though not all members may benefit equally from these effects.
Conclusions and implications: The study established conflict over rituals with differing viewpoints from religious leaders, cultural leaders, and the western biomedical approach to mental well-being. Yet, the bereaved reported that both Luhya and religious rituals helped them process their grief. To address mental health issues fully, it is important to establish collaboration between western models, religious approaches, and cultural approaches.
Lay Summary Rituals are important practices that help people express their grief and provide support within communities around the world yet in most indigenous communities across the world,
yet these rituals are being replaced by western biomedical approaches. This study focused on the significance of traditional mourning rituals among the Luhya people of Kenya and how these practices contribute to community morality and well-being. The study interviewed community elders, bereaved adults and adolescents, and religious leaders. The findings revealed that traditional rituals are crucial for the community's health, although not all members experience the same benefits. There were differing opinions about the rituals from religious leaders, cultural leaders, and those who follow western medical approaches to mental health. Despite these conflicts, many bereaved individuals reported that both Luhya and religious rituals helped them cope with their grief. To effectively address mental health issues, the study suggests a need for collaboration between western mental health models, religious practices, and cultural traditions. This approach could create a more comprehensive support system for those experiencing loss.
The International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS): A screening tool for clinical and organizational applications validated in 85 cultures from six continents
(Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2025-03-28) Stephen Asatsa
Background and aims: Despite the last decade’s significant development in the scientific study of work addiction/workaholism, this area of research is still facing a fundamental challenge, namely
the need for a valid and reliable measurement tool that shows cross-cultural invariance and, as such, allows for worldwide studies on this phenomenon. Methods: An initial 16-item questionnaire, developed within an addiction framework, was administered alongside job stress, job satisfaction, and self-esteem measures in a total sample of 31,352 employees from six continents and 85
cultures (63.5% females, mean age of 39.24 years). Results: Based on theoretical premises and psychometric testing, the International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS) was developed as a short measure representing essential features of work addiction. The seven-item version (IWAS-7), covering all seven components of work addiction, showed partial scalar invariance across 81 cultures, while the five-item version (IWAS-5) showed it across all 85 cultures. Higher levels of work addiction on both versions were associated with higher job stress, lower job satisfaction, and lower self-esteem across cultures. The optimal cut-offs for the IWAS-7 (24 points) and IWAS-5 (18 points) were established with an overall accuracy of 96% for both versions. Discussion and conclusions: The IWAS is a valid, reliable, and short screening scale that can be used in different cultures and languages, providing comparative and generalizable results. The scale can be used globally in clinical and organizational settings, with the IWAS-5 being recommended for most practical and clinical situations. This is the first study to provide data supporting the hypothesis that work addiction is a
universal phenomenon worldwide.