International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Lucy M. Musembi, Dr. Joel Kiambi Muriithi*, Dr. Florence W. Githuthu*
Department of Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Science
Affiliation: The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi City, Kenya
*Corresponding authors
Abstract: Adolescents living without father figures are likely to encounter some psycho-social challenges. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the influence of father absence on emotional adjustment of adolescent among secondary school learners in Makueni-Sub County, Kenya. The study adopted quantitative descriptive survey design a total sample of 344 respondents, all form three students sampled through non-random. Data was collected through questionnaires. Analysis for quantitative data was done using descriptive statistics involving means and frequencies, and inferential statistics involving chi-square and Pearson correlation. This process was aided by use of a computer program, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 28. The study established a correlation between the availability of father or male figure and adolescents’ psychosocial wellbeing. To establish the influence of father absence on emotional adjustment, a regression analysis was conducted, and the findings showed that, and P value was above 0.005 significant level. Therefore, according to the results presented, father-absence did not have significant influence emotional regulation among adolescents. On father absence and social behavior among secondary school learners in Makueni Sub-County, regression analysis findings showed a P value which is less than the 0.005 level of significance. This revealed that the independent variable had an influence on the dependent variable. Thus, father-absence had an influence on social behavior among secondary school learners in Makueni Sub-County, Kenya. The informed conclusions shed light on the complexities of fatherlessness and absent fathers. Multiple stakeholders may benefit from the findings of the study including adolescents, caregivers, psychologists, teachers, policy makers and parents, by knowing the psychological effects of father’s absence on the adolescents’ development hence adapting appropriate strategies to deal with the challenges.
Key words: Father Absence, Social emotional adjustments, adolescents, secondary schools
I. INTRODUCTION
What an individual acquires is largely dependent on the environment in which they are brought up, the kind of personalities they associate with as well as the culture in which they are brought up in. There is much evidence that support the view that the father is one of those important persons. Thus, when he is absent from the home, it is highly likely that the children will experience some inconveniences. There is also considerable evidence to suggest that children