ERIC Number: EJ1333301
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Dec
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0256-0100
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Irrational Beliefs and Stress Levels: Evidence among Orphaned Students in Kenyan Secondary Schools
South African Journal of Education, v41 suppl 2 Article 1996 Dec 2021
In the study reported on here we examined the relationship between irrational beliefs and stress levels among orphans in public secondary schools in Kenya. Rational Emotive Behaviour Theory was adopted. In the study we adopted a cross-sectional correlation research design. A sample size of 350 double orphaned students in secondary schools was obtained using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The Irrational Belief Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale were used to collect data. The reliability results indicate the Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.672 to 0.756. Quantitative data from questionnaires were analysed using inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The findings established a weak positive (n = 314, r = 0.149; p = 0.008 < 0.05) Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between demandingness and stress levels; a weak positive (n = 314, r = 0.243; p < 0.05) correlation between awfulizing and stress levels; a weak positive (n = 314, r = 0.191; p < 0.05) correlation between irrational belief for low frustration tolerance and stress levels; and a weak positive (n = 314, r = 0.167; p = 0.003) correlation between irrational belief of worthlessness and stress levels. The implication of these findings is that orphaned students are overwhelmed with stress because of their state of irrational beliefs. It is recommended that school counsellors should train orphans in secondary schools on rational beliefs through therapy techniques such as positive self-talk to counter the irrational beliefs.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Secondary School Students, Student Attitudes, Misconceptions, Beliefs, Stress Variables, Institutionalized Persons, Residential Institutions, Attitude Measures, School Counselors, Psychotherapy
Education Association of South Africa. University of Pretoria, Centre for the Study of Resilience, Level 3, Groenkloof Student Centre, Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, George Storrar Road and Lleyds Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. Web site: http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kenya
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A