Muguka Related Activities on Students’ Self-Acceptance Levels in Mbeere South Sub County, Embu County, Kenya

Self-acceptance is a key component of psychological well-being, reflecting on how students perceive and value themselves. In Mbeere South Sub-County of Embu County, Kenya, Muguka is widely grown and turns out to be the main economic activity that involves even children in school going age. However, the psychological effect of student’s participation in muguka related activities in Mbeere south Sub County has not been widely researched. This study examined the influence of Muguka related activities on students’ self-acceptance levels in day secondary schools in Mbeere south sub county, Embu County, Kenya. The theory of social learning and Carl Ryff six model of psychological well-being were used to guide the study. A descriptive research design and mixed method research design were employed. The study population was, 3,989 respondents, including students, class teachers and HODs guidance and counselling in day secondary schools in this region. Data was collected using questionnaires for the students and class teachers while interview schedules were used for the HODs guidance and counselling. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results obtained were presented using tables. The study findings concluded that involvement in Muguka planting, harvesting, weeding, watering, selling and consumption, greatly affected student’s levels of self-acceptance. The findings are significant because they offer guidance on how to balance the commercial interests surrounding Muguka with the need to promote students’ self-acceptance.

Self-acceptance, psychological well-being, muguka

1. Ahlgren, M., & Norem-Hebeisen, T. (2023). Self-esteem patterns of drug users in pretreatment and during treatment. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Arslan, G. (2022). Psychological maltreatment and substance use among college students: Psychological distress, belongingness, and social support. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 23(3), 426-449. https://doi.org/10.108 0/15332640.2022.2122098 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Arslan, G. (2022). Psychological maltreatment and substance use among college students: Psychological distress, belongingness, and social support. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 23(3), 426-449. https://doi.org/10.108 0/15332640.2022.2122098 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Besha, T. (2022). Socioeconomic, health, and mycological implications of khat in East Africa. Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science, 1(2), 39-52. https://doi.org/10.56893/ajhes.2022-v1i2.237 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Efrem, M., Mulat, H., Kassew, T., & Minichil, W. (2022). Prevalence of psychological khat dependency and its associated factors among Mettu University students, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1429881/v1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Gupta, S. (2025, May 19). How to embrace self-acceptance: It's time to stop being your own worst critic. Verywell Mind. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Lisa, A., Louise, K., Charkoudin & Jeniffer (2022) Confronting Failure. Approach to Building Confidence and Resilience in Undergraduate Researchers. Council of undergraduate research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Mugenda, O., & Mugenda, A. (2003). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. African C/entre for Technology Studies. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Mwangi, P. N., & Irungu, J. M. (2020). Influence of family background on deviant behavior among secondary school students in Nyeri County, Kenya. International Journal of Social and Development Concerns, 11(3), 67–74. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Ngina, H. (2024, July 4). The historical context: Understanding the 7-6-3, 8-4-4, and CBC curriculum in Kenya. Kurasa Africa. https://mykurasa.com/2024/04/the-historical-context-understanding-the-7-6-3-8-4-4-and-cbc-curriculum-in-kenya/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Njagi, K., & Foundation,R. (2019). Kenyan farmers abandon food crops to grow 'green gold' stimulant. News Thomson Reuters Foundation News. https://news.tru st.org/item/20190812093810-fcka4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Njuguna, J. (2020). Effects of Miraa Production on Socio-Economic Livelihoods of Households and School Attendance Among Boys in Nthawa Ward Mbeere North, Embu County [Doctoral dissertation]. http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/ handle/embuni/2504 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Njuguna, J. (2020). Effects of Miraa Production on Socio-Economic Livelihoods of Households and School Attendance Among Boys in Nthawa Ward Mbeere North, Embu County [Doctoral dissertation]. http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/ handle/embuni/2504 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Omolo, D. O., & Ngesa, F. U. (2020). The effects of Muguka consumption on school going adolescents in Embu County. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 1(2), 54–61. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Pierpala, L. & Giusi, A. (2022). Psychological strategies and protocols for promoting school well-being: A systematic review. National Library of Medicine [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Pierpala, L. & Giusi, A. (2022). Psychological strategies and protocols for promoting school well-being: A systematic review. National Library of Medicine. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Rachael, S. & James, S (2023) Children’s work in African Agriculture Bristol University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Sirgy, M. (2021). The psychology of quality of life: Wellbeing and positive mental health. Springer Nature. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Temsegen (2022) Social Economic Health and Missiological Implications of Khat in East Africa. Journal of Health and Environmental Science. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Wekesa, J. M., & Kerongo, F. (2022). The socio-economic effects of Muguka farming in Embu County. Kenya Journal of Development Studies, 3(1), 55–66. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Examine Sleep Deprivation among Adolescents: Evidence from a Selected Chinese High School in Johor, Malaysia
• Effectiveness of Learning PEMDAS through Game-Based Learning for Primary Students
• Socioeconomic Background and Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Emotional Resilience among In-School Adolescents in Abeokuta, Nigeria
• Emotional Neglect and Students’ Academic Performnce in Secondary Schools in Delta North Senatorial District