International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Charity Amiemitsemhe Otono1, Stephen Asatsa, PhD2, Stellah Osoro Kerongo, PhD1
1Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Foundation, Abuja, Nigeria at Marist International University College, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.
2Lecturer of Psychology, Department of Counseling Psychology, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract: The prevalence and growth of delinquency among selected secondary schools in Ngando, Nairobi County, is causing growing concern. The goal of this study was to look into the role of counseling on delinquency among students in selected secondary schools in Nairobi County, Ngando. The study was guided by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory of Motivation and used an embedded mixed methods design. The study’s objectives were to assess the prevalence of delinquency and to investigate the types of counseling used among students in Ngando’s selected secondary schools. The target population consisted of 400 students and teachers, and the sample consisted of 200 respondents chosen using random and purposive sampling methods. However, only 189 participants were able to take part in the study which includes 185 students and 4 teachers. To collect data, the researcher used both questionnaires and interview guides. The collected data was analyzed in light of the research objectives. The researcher used frequency tables, standard deviations, and Pearson correlations to analyze quantitative data. Using the research objective themes, the qualitative data was presented in narrative form. According to the study, the most common types of delinquent behavior among students were violence, drug abuse, substance use, stealing, truancy, and unhealthy indecent relationships, while the most common types of counselling used were individual counselling, group counselling, and career counselling, with family counselling being rarely used. The study also found a link between different types of counseling and a reduction in delinquent behavior among students. The study recommended the use of trained psychotherapists in secondary schools to reduce and treat delinquent behaviors.
Keywords: Delinquency, Counseling, Secondary School Students, Adolescents, Behavior
I.INTRODUCTION
Delinquency encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from socially unacceptable acts committed as a minor that parents describe as “naughty” and psychologists refer to as “acting out” to violent and destructive illegal behaviors (Dryfoos, 2020). It is a serious societal issue that affects not only the individual, but also the family, community, and society as a whole (Obsuth, Murray, Knoll, Ribeaud, & Eisner, 2021). Delinquency, according to Nguku, Chege, and Odera (2017), has become a social problem that affects all members and processes of a social structure.
The school environment is one aspect of society that is affected by what happens in society at large. Without doubt, delinquent behaviors seen in today’s society manifest themselves in the school environment. In today’s educational system, delinquent behavior among secondary students is not a new occurrence. In a school, delinquency is referred to as indiscipline (Kamau, 2011). Adolescent delinquent behavior