Browsing by Author "Ratteng, Agnes Akeyo"
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Item An Assessment Of The Psychological Effects Of School Fire Incidents Among Students: A Case Of Ringa Boys Secondary School, Homabay County, Kenya(School of Applied Human Sciences, Daystar University, 2023-10) Ratteng, Agnes AkeyoABSTRACT There has been an increase in cases of school fire incidents all over the country causing public concern. Little attention has been given to the psychological wellness of the students after a fire incident. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological effects of school fire incidents among secondary school students at Ringa Boys Secondary School in Homabay County. The study objectives were to assess the psychological effects of school fire incidents among the students, to determine the coping mechanisms employed by the students, to evaluate the interventions employed by the school after the fire incidents and to recommend viable interventions that would enhance psychological wellness of students. The study adopted two theories, the Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Conservation of Resource Model. Descriptive research design was used for the study. The study employed a mixed-method approach. A sample of 400 students was drawn from forms 2, 3 and 4. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guide and adopted psychometric tools BAI, CDI and PLC-5. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using SPSS 23. The findings showed that a good number of respondents had moderate to high level of anxiety, moderate to high level of post-traumatic stress disorder, whereas few respondents had moderate to high level of depression. The respondents cited staying busy, maintaining discipline, sports activities, spirituality, relaxation, avoidance and debriefing as coping strategies. The school used management interventions such as employing new security measures, provision of lost materials, support in revision, guidance and counseling and building new dormitories. The study therefore recommended a guidance and counselling policy applicable to all learning institutions, on matters pertaining to life-threatening incidents such as school fires.