Influence of psychosocial components on cohabitation behaviour among undergraduate students of the university of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of psychosocial components on cohabitation behavior among undergraduate students at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, in response to rising trends of cohabitation among youth. The objectives included examining the impact of peer pressure, urban lifestyle, self-concept, and emotional support on students' decisions to cohabit. The research utilized a descriptive design, targeting a sample of 100 participants selected through snowball sampling from the larger undergraduate population of 47,700. Theoretical orientations included Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires and was conducted in August 2023. The collected data was descriptively analyzed using percentages and correlations were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings indicated a significant positive correlation between peer pressure and cohabitation behavior (r = .294, p = .003), demonstrating that students influenced by their peers were more likely to support cohabitation. Moreover, urban lifestyle demonstrated a strong positive correlation with cohabitation behavior (r = .369, p < .01), suggesting that exposure to urban settings facilitates acceptance of non-traditional living arrangements, with 75% of urban-influenced students in favor of cohabitation. In contrast, students with low self-concept showed increased likelihood for cohabitation, though the correlation between self-concept and cohabitation behavior was non-significant (r = -0.164, p = .102). Notably, emotional support revealed a perfect positive correlation (r = 1.00, p < .01) with cohabitation, suggesting that students who received greater emotional support were more likely to engage in cohabiting arrangements. The implications underscore the importance of peer influence and emotional backing in shaping young adults' relationship choices. Recommendations include developing university programs to address peer pressure and support emotional well-being, thus fostering informed relationship decisions among students. Future studies should explore the long-term implications of cohabitation, regional cultural influences, and qualitative insights into individual motivations for cohabiting. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of partnerships among youth in Kenya, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers, educators, and counselors