Thesis:

Influence of Cyberbullying on Psychological Well-Being Among Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Nairobi County, Keny

Cyber bullying in secondary schools has been of both global and regional concern with the same concern becoming an issue in our Kenyan schools. With advancement of modern information technology, the trends of cyber bullying have consistently been changing thus raising concerns about the psychological well-being particularly for the adolescents in secondary schools. The purpose of this study was, to investigate the influence of cyber bullying on psychological well- being of the adolescents in secondary schools within Nairobi County, Kenya. The study sought to establish influence of the forms of cyber bullying on psychological wellbeing of the adolescents in secondary schools and the relationships between the prevalence of cyber bullying and psychological wellbeing of the adolescents. The study further sought to establish the extent to which the techniques of cyber bullying influenced the psychological wellbeing of the adolescents of the adolescents and lastly the coping and intervention strategies used to minimize cyber bullying. The General Strain and Social Cognitive Theories guided the study. The study adopted Ex- post-facto research design. The study had an accessible population of 5 principals, 5 teacher counselors and 5200 secondary school learners (students). The sampling procedures comprised of both probability and non-probability techniques. The researcher purposefully selected the schools that had prior unrest. Further, the study used Stratified Sampling Techniques to obtain the samples of subgroups of the adolescents in secondary schools. The study used Simple Random Sampling techniques to select the students from the subgroups who would form part of the study sample. The study also used Maximum variation purposive sampling to select the Focus group discussion participants who included one professional counselor, one educational officer, a police officer, a medical officer, a computer specialist, a student and one parent. Maximum variation is a type of purposive sampling in which the sampled population provides insightful information. The focus group participants therefore, provided insightful information concerning cyber bullying and its influence on psychological wellbeing among the adolescents. The researcher used Expert purposive sampling to select five Teacher counselors and five school principals. The study altogether used a total sample of 333 participants (consisting of five school principals, 5 teacher counselors, 5 key informants and 318 secondary school students). The instruments used in this study were questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and documents analysis guides. The researcher piloted the study instruments in Nairobi County in two schools, which had the same characteristics but had not been included in the study. The study used Expert judgment to check its validity. The researcher employed Split half technique to establish the reliability of the study. The researcher then calculated correlation coefficient using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Method. A coefficient of r≥0.775 indicated high internal consistency. The researcher coded the quantitative data and analyzed using inferential statistics. The study used Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient and Chi square. The descriptive data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 23) and presented using frequency tables. For Qualitative data, the researcher transcribed the participants’ description of their experiences, analyzed, and presented in narrative forms. Data from document analysis guide was organized and analyzed thematically. There was statistically significant relationship between forms of cyber bullying and psychological wellbeing of the adolescents in secondary schools. There was also statistically significant relationship between techniques of cyberbullying psychological wellbeing of the adolescents. The study recommends that, the school principals, teachers and parents should work together in educating the adolescents on cyber bullying in order to foster assertiveness and resilience. The Government through the ministry of education should consider infusing cyber bullying in the school curriculum for proper definition and understanding of the forms of cyber bullying and its effects to both teachers and students. The school principals should employ intensive monitoring and control of the sites the adolescents is visiting during computer lessons in order to understand the techniques they use to cyber bully others.