INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, NAIROBI COUNTY

Abstract

University students face numerous psychosocial challenges that contribute to poor academic performance. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of selected psychosocial challenges on academic performance of first year students in Kenyatta University. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine the influence of relational factors on academic performance of first year students in Kenyatta University, to determine the influence of emotional stability on academic performance and to identify strategies that can be used to help the first year students to overcome psychosocial challenges affecting their academic performance. The study was guided by Social Learning Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. The study adopted descriptive survey design, stratified sampling techniques were used to select 560 students’ respondents from target population which were first year students at Kenyatta University. Data were gathered utilizing an interview and questionnaire routine. The study used descriptive to analyze the questionnaire and the interview guide while the multiple linear regression model was used to analyze quantative date with the aid of SPSS. The findings of the study were presented in tables and pie charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and presented verbatim as per the objectives of the study. Validity was ensured by using standard data collection tool and method hence ensuring that data obtained represent variable of the study. A pilot study was performed to identify and identify any issues not readily understood or poorly built. The study used the test-retest-method to ensure reliability. The study found that first-year students face multiple difficulties concerning relational and emotional issues. Some of the most common problems in the study were time, workload and expectations for the two cohorts, balancing relationships with peers, meeting academic performance expectations, freedom of choice in course selection and personal inhibitions such as feelings of loneliness and depression among others. The study further found that based on the selected psychosocial challenges affecting the academic performance of first-year students in Kenyatta University, interventions addressing these issues had already been put in place and they include: Often psychological and evaluations, time-bound treatment, emotional support, personal development groups or references to external psychological services, are the student counseling services given. Social integration has been utilized to help solitude and relationship difficulties. This is done by encouraging students to engage in any academic, cultural and sporting activities. The university also offers orientation programs for students joining the university. The institution provides a culture of university and also gives the students advice concerning the university. To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs in place, the University has taken measures to widen the scope of their focus in future by providing programs during the orientation week for first year’s students to get to know each other