Gender Differences in Adjustment to Loss and Grief among Selected Kenyan Orphaned Secondary School Students

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate Gender differences in adjustment to Loss and Grief among orphaned Kenyan secondary school students. The study was informed by Kübler-Ross Cycle model of loss and grief. Mixed method research approach was used and with it, concurrent triangulation design was adopted. The target population consisted of 47 schools, 20 focus group discussion students, 10 personal interviews and 1,245 Form 3orphaned students from public secondary schools in Kisumu Central Sub-County. A sample size of 453 students from 15 secondary schools were sampled for the study using stratified random sampling technique. Reliability of the instruments was ascertained through a pilot study of 9% of the population that did not participate in the final study. Internal consistency was also used to determine the reliability of questionnaires and coefficient values of r=0.784, was reported. Face validity of the instruments was ascertained by pilot testing the questionnaires and also by seeking expert judgment by university lecturers. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data wasanalyzed using thematic framework. Trustworthiness of qualitative data was ensured by analyzing the framework as fronted by Lincoln &Guba. The study findings revealed that there were no statistically significant gender difference on adjustment to loss and grief. The study recommended that schools should introduce adapting-parenting model among teachers to take care of the orphaned students.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p489