Relationship between Counselor’s Services Provision and Help-seeking Behavior among Secondary School Students in Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between counselor’s services provision and help-seeking behavior among secondary school students in Laikipia County, Kenya. Fishbein and Ajzen’s theory of Reasoned Action anchored this research. The researcher utilized correlational research design. The target population of this study consisted of form three students only from three categories of schools (boys boarding, girls boarding and mixed day schools) which make a total of 28 public secondary schools. The sample size of the study was 310 form three students from 10 schools. The researcher used two instruments to collect data from form three students. A pilot study was carried out to ascertain the validity of the instrument. Quantitative data gathered through a questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that there was a moderate positive correlation between counselor’s services provision and help-seeking behavior among the students, r (290) = .29, p < .05. The study recommends that teachers should sensitize students on the importance of counsellors to build a positive perception of school counselors to enhance help-seeking behavior among the students. There is a need for the students to be encouraged to seek help whenever they are faced with challenges to reduce cases of problem behavior in schools.