DRUG ABUSE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MOLO SUB-COUNTY, NAKURU-KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine drug abuse and its influence on the psychological well-being of students in Public Secondary Schools in Molo Sub- County, Nakuru Kenya. The study was guided by the following questions: What are the commonly abused drugs by students, What are the factors contributing to drug abuse, What were the existing measures used to mitigate drug abuse in public secondary schools, How does drug abuse influence the psychological well-being of students in public secondary schools and what strategies can be put in place for management of drug abuse in public secondary schools?. The study used a mixed method approach for data collection and analysis. The study involved 120 participants from five schools sampled out of 26 schools through probability and non-probability sampling. The study was anchored on Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura (1977) and Social Strain Theory by Robert Merton (1938). Research adopted descriptive mixed method research design with quantitative being the major focus. The study used a questionnaire and interview guide schedule as the major instruments for data collection. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and presented in tables, percentages, and frequencies with the assistance of SPSS 21st version. Qualitative data were first transcribed and reported through narration using themes and sub-themes. The study found that cigarette, alcohol, miraa, bhang, and muratina were the commonly abused drugs by secondary school students in Molo sub - county. In addition, peer pressure, availability of drugs, curiosity, depression, and anxiety were found to be major factors contributing to drug abuse among students in public secondary schools. Furthermore, the study identified stringent school policies, a ban on outside food and drinks as well as expulsion of students found abusing drugs were the existing measures which were employed by the public secondary school administrators to manage drugs. The study established challenges such as insomnia, truancy, low self-esteem, self-withdrawal, hostility due to continuous stress and a poor pattern of academic progression to influence psychological well-being of students. Guidance and counselling was found to be the main strategies which were used to manage drug challenges in public secondary schools. The research established significant mean differences in drug abuse on gender and age. The research recommended further study to be conducted on factors contributing to the psychological well-being of students in schools in Molo Sub- County