This thesis is based on an anlaysis of adolsecents’ discursive construction of sexuality. Its main objective is to gain an understanding of the world of adolescents sexuality. Worldwide, studies on sexual behaviour among adolescents indicate that a significant number of adolescents are becoming sexually active at an early age. Whereas it is true that culture and language use fundamentally influence sexuality by creating and communicating values, norms, and expectations regarding sexual rela...
Abstract/Overview The purpose of this study was to determine influence of social support on adolescents’ career development. The sample consisted of 358 secondary school students from year one to year four. The students were surveyed on measures of career development and perceived social support. The results show that there was a positive relationship between perceived social support and career decision making self-efficacy (r=-.237, p
Abstract/Overview Use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (i.e., substance use) is a leading cause of global health burden for 10-to-24-year-olds, according to the World Health Organization’s index of number of years of life lost, leading international health organizations to prioritize the prevention of substance use before it escalates in adolescence. Pathways defined by childhood externalizing symptoms and internalizing symptoms identify precursors to frequent substance use toward which inte...
Abstract/Overview Drug resistance has been identified as one of the factors that lead to severe malaria and high mortality as observed in malaria endemic areas. The main objective of this study was to establish the factors that contribute to essential drug resistance in the treatment of malaria in Rachuonyo District, Kenya. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected among 380 respondents including health care providers, people seeking malaria treatment and Community Own Resource (CORPs...
Abstract/Overview The aim of the study was to establish the relationship of birth order and conduct disorders among secondary school students in Nakuru county, Nakuru municipality, Kenya. This study was conducted for both male and female students. A total of 317 students participated. The study had 51.7% males and 48.3% females. Further, 21.5% were first borns, 58% middle and 20.5% were last borns. Study tools included the questionnaire. The study established a statistically significant rela...
Abstract/Overview The present study examined differences and similarities between Kenyan mothers and fathers in attributions regarding successes and failures in caregiving situations and progressive versus authoritarian attitudes.
Abstract/Overview The aim of the thesis was to examine whether experienced stress, adjustment of orphans and discipline strategies used by 328 grandmothers were linked to disruptions in life courses that occurs when children are orphaned and elderly caregivers are required to assume extensive parenting roles. For comparative purposes, 113 partially responsible grandmothers and 115 biological mothers were also included in the sample. Study I examined factors contributing to elevated levels of...
Abstract/Overview Distinguishing between relational and physical aggression has become a key feature of many developmental studies in North America and Western Europe, but very little information is available on relational and physical aggression in more diverse cultural contexts. This study examined the factor structure of, associations between, and gender differences in relational and physical aggression in China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the U...
Abstract/Overview Two key tasks facing parents across cultures are managing children’s behaviors (and misbehaviors) and conveying love and affection. Previous research has found that corporal punishment generally is related to worse child adjustment, whereas parental warmth is related to better child adjustment. This study examined whether the association between corporal punishment and child adjustment problems (anxiety and aggression) is moderated by maternal warmth in a diverse set of c...
Abstract/Overview This study examined longitudinal links between household income and parents’ education and children’s trajectories of internalizing and externalizing behaviors from age 8 to 10 reported by mothers, fathers, and children. Longitudinal data from 1,190 families in 11 cultural groups in eight countries (Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and United States) were included. Multigroup structural equation models revealed that household income, but no...
Abstract/Overview There is growing debate about the situations of children who care for a relative with HIV-related illness, especially in developing countries with high HIV prevalence. In particular, there is inadequate information on the long-term consequences of children taking on this caregiving role. The article reanalyses data collected between January and November 2006 in a rural setting in western Kenya where 19 children caring for a total of 15 people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV)...
Abstract/Overview The dual systems model of adolescent risk-taking portrays the period as one characterized by a combination of heightened sensation seeking and still-maturing self- regulation, but most tests of this model have been conducted in the United States or Western Europe. In the present study, these propositions are tested in an international sample of more than 5000 individuals between ages 10 and 30 years from 11 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, using a multi-m...
Abstract/Overview Child maltreatment is a global phenomenon affecting a significant number of the world’s children. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of self-reported childhood maltreatment among university students in Kenya, Zambia, and The Netherlands. We also sought to compare the psychopathological sequelae of child maltreatment in the three samples. In addition, we sought to find out whether PTSS mediated the association between child maltreatment and the psychop...
Abstract/Overview This study investigated whether higher maternal psychological distress, lower provision of psychosocial stimulation and a negative appraisal of parenting experience were associated with lower cognitive, motor, social-emotional and adaptive behaviour development in children under 3 years of age in Kenya. A cross-sectional design was used, with 81 caregiver–child dyads recruited through convenience sampling. The mean age of these infants was 8.5 months (SD = 5.6 months, ran...
Abstract: Condoms continue to be an essential and effective tool in the prevention packages for HIV, other STIs and unplanned pregnancy Sexually transmitted diseases are the most serious and widespread public health problem. The most vulnerable demographic groups, particularly female sex workers, engage in risky sexual activities, and have more HIV/AIDS than the general population as a result of having several partners and inconsistent condom use. Moreover, available data concerning consiste...