RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MANIFESTATION OF SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE SURVIVORS OF ARSON ATTACKS IN HIGH SCHOOLS IN NAIROBI COUNTY

Abstract

Arson attacks in high schools occur throughout the world. They are traumatic events and leave survivors with trails of psychological trauma, which impair their mental health wellness and functioning. In order for the survivors to return to normalcy, they will need psychological adjustment. The primary objective of the research was to determine the relationship between safety awareness, preparedness and manifestation of symptomatology. This research adopted a descriptive survey design to execute it. Snowball sampling technique was applied. The study population will comprise of high schools including students. The study used self-administered questionnaires for students to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics then statistical package for social sciences. Hypothesis was analyzed by Pearson product moment, Correlations (r) and step wise regression technique. Qualitative data from open ended questions were read, paying attention to ideas, documents and concepts from respondents. Field notes was edited and written based on content and theme and analyzed accordingly. The study adopted social support theory. The theory states that the support an individual survivor receives from the social networks boosts the individual survivorsâ resilience and promotes health wellness and psychological adjustment. There is a relationship between social support and individual health. The outcome of the study will have implications on policy and theory. On policy the study helped to identify gaps in the current understanding of arson survivors in schools and will assist education planners, administrators and those responsible for education in formulation of adequate policy framework.