Relationship between Partying Culture and Risk-Taking Behaviors among Senior School Students in Igembe South Sub-County, Meru County Kenya

Partying culture among senior school students is increasing in many communities. It exposes young people to environments where substance use, unprotected sexual activity, and violence may be normalized. Such exposure may negatively affect senior school students’ health, academic performance, and social development. In Igembe South Sub-County, teachers, parents, and community stakeholders have raised concerns about students’ increasing involvement in partying-related activities. Despite these concerns, limited empirical research has documented how partying culture relates to risk-taking behaviors among senior school students in this area. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to examine the relationship between partying culture and risk-taking behaviors among senior school students in Igembe South Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. The study was be guided by problem-behavior theory by Jessor and Jessor (1977). The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a descriptive correlational research design. The target population was 24,000, while the accessible population of 2400 which was 10% of the target population. Simple random sampling was employed in 10 schools comprising of grade 10, form 3 and 4 to select a sample of 343. Data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaires from learners in grade 10, form 3, and form 4. A pilot study was conducted in two secondary schools outside the study area with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.862 which was considered acceptable. Validity was ensured through expert review and content validation. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 31.0. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, mean and standard deviation was used to summarize data, while inferential statistics, using the Pearson coefficient, was used test relationships between variables at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed an r. 0441 and std error of 0.6052 P value ≤ 0.001. For the nature of partying culture Beta of 0.384 P value ≤0.001 . On contextual risk exposure F-(3.167) P value≤ 0.001 and on gender differences T-test was -12.514, P value of ≤0,003 s which was significant in risk-taking behaviours, whereas the prevalence of partying culture did not have a statistically significant influence. T-test=8.62≥ at sig. 0.001. The study concludes that the social and contextual conditions surrounding partying culture, rather than participation frequency alone, are important in shaping risk-taking behaviours among senior school students. The study recommended strengthening school-based guidance and counselling, peer-support programmes, parental supervision, and gender-sensitive community interventions to reduce contextual risks and peer pressures associated with partying culture.

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