WITCHCRAFT BELIEFS AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN MASABA SOUTH, SUB-COUNTY, KISII COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

This study assessed witchcraft beliefs and the psychological well-being among the elderly in Nyakumbati, Sub-location, Masaba South, Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. The research objectives were four: to identify the prevalence of Witchcraft Beliefs. To evaluate levels of psychological wellbeing on elderly people; to determine influence of Witchcraft Beliefs on Psychological Well-Being of the elderly people; to identify the possible interventions to improve the Psychological Well-Being of the elderly people in Nyakumbati Sub-location in Masaba South, Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. Two theories were adopted in the study. They involve: Cognitive Behavioral Theory of Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck (1960) and Self-Determination Theory (STD) of Ryan and Deci (2000). Convergent parallel research design was used. The target population was 280 elderly people who are over 70 years and above in Nyakumbati sub location. The study used a simple random sampling to select samples for the study. An additional of 7 key informants for qualitative data was selected purposively among the 21 clan elders using Mugenda Mugenda (2003) of 30% of 2003. The sample size was determined from the entire population of 280 persons using Yamane Taro's (1967) sampling formula. The study was conducted using 164 respondents as its sample size. There were a total of 171 samples. Two research instruments were used. Questionnaires and interviewing techniques were used as the instruments. SPSS version 22 was used for correlational analysis, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Tables and figures were used to display the findings. The findings on the relationship between psychological well-being and witchcraft beliefs showed that there was: a weak relationship of 0.061 on self-acceptance, a moderate relationship of 0.331 on positive relations and a moderate relationship of 0.530 on purpose in life, on influence of witchcraft beliefs there was a weak relationship of 0.035. On possible interventions: Government 58.3% strongly agreed, Church 70.9% strongly agreed and on Academic field 59.6% strongly agreed. The study recommended that to: The County Government as policy makers to come up with means and ways to create awareness on issues related to witchcraft; Church as an institution should come up with spiritual coping mechanisms to address challenges faced by the elderly people due to witchcraft beliefs; Academic field as a learning institution they should come up with proper mechanisms to assist learners from the early age to accept and care for the elderly people without discrimination from issues related to witchcraft beliefs.