| dc.description.abstract | In normal circumstances, juveniles are expected to negotiate their psychosocial
developmental stages smoothly with no maladaptive behaviors. However, worldwide a
lot of juveniles have been found to engage in delinquency leading them to behavior
maladjustment. This study focused on psychosocial factors contributing to juvenile
delinquency in public primary schools in Starehe Sub-county, Nairobi County. The
objectives of the study were: to determine individual related factors contributing to
juvenile delinquency in Starehe sub-county, to establish family related factors
contributing to juvenile delinquency in Starehe sub-county, to establish school related
factors contributing to juvenile delinquency in Starehe sub-county, to establish
intervention strategies that would help juveniles deal with delinquent behaviors. The
study adopted three theories; the Ecological System Theory, Social Learning Theory
and General Strain Theory. The design of the study was descriptive. A sample size of
four hundred respondents that included three hundred and fifty juveniles and fifty
teachers and administrators was obtained by using purposive sampling technique.
Questionnaires and interview schedule were used to collect data. Pilot study was
administered to ascertain the validity and reliability of the instruments. Quantitative
data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and
percentages and presented by use of frequency tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data
was analyzed thematically in accordance with the objectives and presented in verbatim.
The study findings revealed that parents’ demographic attributes such as
unemployment, low education level and unstable marriages had great influence on
juvenile delinquency. It was established that individual related factors such as anger,
frustrations, threat from peers and worry from exams were leading factors contributing
to delinquency. It was also established that low attachment to significant others,
parental absence, lack of role models, lack of basic needs and neighborhood factors
such as peer pressure contribute to juvenile delinquency. Further, it was established that
curriculum related factors and peer influence in school contribute to juvenile
delinquency. To address delinquency the participants recommended intervention such
as guidance and counseling, family counseling, peer counseling and recreation park
activities. To mitigate juvenile delinquency, the study recommended interventions such
as provision of functional guidance and counseling in learning institutions and in the
community, leisure activities spheres, material and financial support to the needy
parents, provision of social and emotional support to juveniles, economic
empowerment for parents and to embrace competence based curriculum. Further,
recommendations to the researchers are made to find the relationship between effect of
juvenile delinquency and academic performance and also to investigate psychosocial
factors contributing to juvenile delinquency in other sub counties in Nairobi. | en_US |
