Psychosocial Intervention Strategies for Stress Management among Student Mothers in Kenyan Public Secondary Schools in Kimilili Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a significant international concern, with the lack of family support affecting the emotional well-being of pregnant teenagers and their babies, thus reducing the likelihood of student mothers returning to school. This survey, therefore, using William Glasser’s Psychological Reality Theory on Maladaptive Behaviour adopted a cross-sectional research design. The target population was 5,069 female students in form three and form four in all the public secondary schools in Kimilili Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya. Another population of the study composed of 23 school Guidance and Counselling teachers and 23 school chaplains. From the sample size table developed by Krejcie & Morgan (1970), the target sample encompassed 381 girls from interviewed girls’ schools and mixed schools, 19 Guidance and Counselling teachers and 19 school chaplains. Instruments for data collection were used to determine the level of validity and reliability; the Cronbach alpha value was used and it was higher than 0. 7 indicating high reliability. It was made conspicuous that stress levels are positively associated with academic performance in a strong manner (r=0. 702, p<0. 000). The study thereby established that the level of stress determines the extent of stress in student mothers of the public secondary schools in Kimilili Sub- County, Kenya. This led to the recommendation that school focus and improve on the counselling service for student mothers to reduce stress.