Perceived Influence of Self-Perception on Self-Esteem among Undergraduate Students of Kabarak University in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived influence of self-perception on self-esteem among undergraduate students of Kabarak University, Nakuru County, Kenya. The researcher used questionnaire for undergraduate students, FGD guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for university counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and through pilot testing, which was done at Kabarak City Campus. The pilot sample consisted of 10 undergraduate students, 5 peer counsellors and 1 student counsellor. The reliability and validity of items was established using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. The pilot results of the variable self- esteem yielded 0.705 while body image yielded 0.937. The response rate was 96.39%. The data collected was analysed using frequencies, percentages and means (descriptive statistics). The data analysis used the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The researcher considered ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The outcome indicated that most of the sampled students and staffs jointly agreed that self-perception influence self-esteem among undergraduate students of Kabarak University. The study concluded that self-perception has statistically significant perceived influence on self-esteem among undergraduate students of Kabarak University. Therefore, the study recommends that the key stakeholders in counselling department include in the policies and strategies ways on how to address concerns about self-perception and self-esteem. Such policies and strategies would help in improving the efficiency of interventions to address the adverse effects associated with negative self-perception for example depression, low self-esteem and eating disorders.