THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING ON SELF CONCEPT OF TEENAGE MOTHERS AT ST. CHARLES LWANGA VOCATIONAL TRAINING COLLEGE IN KIBERA NAIROBI- COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is considered as a global issue. A large proportion of teenage mothers give up on themselves and struggle with negative emotions resulting from societal stigma, rejection and isolation from friends and families, which can lead to poor self-concept. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of social skills training on enhancing self-concept of teenage mothers in Kibera. Hence, empowering them on decision-making, self-awareness, assertive behaviour, minimize repeated pregnancy. This study was guided by four research objectives: to examine the level of assertive training on self-concept of teenage mothers, to explore the influence of self-monitoring on self-concept among teenage mothers, to investigate the effectiveness of relationship management on enhancing the self-concept of teenage mothers, and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing psychological approaches used in the rehabilitation center on enhancing the self-concept of these teenage mothers at Charles Lwanga Vocational Training College. The study was anchored on person centered theory of Carl Rogers and Bandura`s social cognitive theory. Mixed method sequential explanatory design was adopted for the study. The target population was 150 teenage mothers. Census method was used to select all 150 teenage mothers. Self-concept questionnaire and social skills were used to collect data from the participants for quantitative data. One social worker and the school administrator were sampled for qualitative study and data were collected using interview guide. Data analysis was carried out using correlation analysis and thematic analysis aided by narratives. The first phase of Quantitative data collected was analyzed using (SPSS) version 21. Data were presented in tables using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies, and percentages for quantitative variables. The study found out that social skills training has improved self-concept of teenage mothers in Kibera. The qualitative study revealed that teenage mothers go through psychological and emotional challenges in the hands of their parents. The study generally concludes that self-concept of teenage mothers is being affected by lack of psychological support, forgiveness and acceptance from the family. Intervention suggested included being emotionally present, psychological support, and love by parents to teenage mothers. The study recommended the need for strengthening policies on guidance and counseling services for parents and teenage mothers for enhancement of assertiveness. There is need for social workers to focus on policy development in low- income families on education, which is necessary to potspone teenage pregnancy.