Psychosocial Interventions Applied in Management of Adolescents’ Risky Behaviour in Therapeutic Communities in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of psychosocial interventions used in the management of adolescent’s risky behaviour in therapeutic communities in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. This was in the light of concern that there has been a rise of alcohol and bhang use among young people in Uasin Gishu. The study was guided by Reality theory. A sequential embedded mixed methods research design was used. The quantitative part used ex post facto design and qualitative strand was phenomenological. The target population comprised all adolescents, counsellors, trainers and recoverees in all the six therapeutic communities located in Uasin Gishu. Purposive sampling was used to pick four of the six therapeutic communities, counsellors, recoverees and trainers to participate in the study. From each therapeutic community, a representative sample was selected comprising 80 adolescents, 12 counsellors, 8 recoverees and 10 sports trainers. Data was collected using a questionnaire for adolescents, interviews guide for the counsellors, recoverees and trainers, and document analysis guide. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Analysis of Variance was employed to test the research hypotheses. The study established that among the psychosocial interventions used by therapeutic communities to manage risky behaviour of adolescents were: group counselling, family counselling, recreational activities, provision of care, and family support. These interventions have shown significant effectiveness in reducing or eradicating risky behaviours among adolescents in therapeutic communities. It is thus recommended that family members should also be involved in counselling to understand their role in preventing misconduct.