Publication:

Determination Of The Relationship Between Stress Levels And Delinquency Among Adolescents In Selected Public Rehabilitation Schools In Kenya

Adolescent delinquency in Kenya has become a pressing social issue, showing a concerning increase. This study aimed to explore the connection between psychosocial factors and delinquency among adolescents in selected public rehabilitation schools in Kenya, drawing insights from the "Storm and Stress" Theory and Social Learning Theory. Employing a mixed research methods approach, the study utilized a convergent parallel research design, fitting for a mixed methods approach. The target population consisted of 360 individuals, including adolescents, managers, teachers, and welfare officers from four chosen public rehabilitation schools. Sampling involved a combination of convenience, stratified random, systematic random, and simple random sampling methods to select 271 respondents, comprising adolescents, teachers, and welfare officers. Questionnaires were administered to adolescents and teachers, while managers and welfare officers underwent interviews. The research instruments demonstrated reliability through a pilot study, revealing Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha values above 0.7. ANOVA analysis indicated F value 0.065, p< 0.05 which was less than the F table value 0.99993. This showed statistically significant relationship between stress levels and delinquency. Findings revealed that the adolescents had mental issues which impacted negatively on their behaviour. These findings hold valuable implications for rehabilitation schools' management, teachers, and probation officers, aiding in policy formulation to enhance the rehabilitation process. Moreover, counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists, and mental health practitioners can benefit from these findings in supporting adolescent delinquents and caregivers during rehabilitation and post-exit.