Investigation of the Relationship between Help-Seeking Behaviour and Juvenile Delinquency among Secondary School Students in Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

This study is about committing anti-social activities like: theft, illicit sexual relations, use and trafficking of drugs, fighting, destruction of property and cheating (juvenile Delinquency) by high school students ages 14-18 in Kisii Central Sub-County, Getembe Zone, Kenya. The purpose of the study was to explain the extent to which suicidal ideation, help-seeking behaviour, and use of media influence JD among secondary school students in Kisii Central Sub-County, Getembe Zone. It was also about the extent of differences in JD according to family type and perceived social class. The objective dealt with in this paper was to investigate the relationship between help-seeking behaviour and Juvinile Delinquency among secondary school adolescents in Kisii county, Kenya. Kisii Central Sub-County was selected because no similar study has been done there and because acts of student violence are apparent there. Probability and non-probability sampling methods were used. Questionnaires were used to collect data from students and teachers, interview schedules for principals, and focus group discussion questions were used on parents. The results indicated that respondents who scored highly in help-seeking behaviour were more delinquent than those that had a low score. The conclusion was that young people who think that they do seek help probably seek it from irresponsible people. It was therefore recommended that youths should be sensitized to seek help from caring persons in order to reduce cases of juvenile delinquency.