Mentoring Effect on Self-esteem, Locus of Control and Self-efficacy of Economically Poor Women A Case Study of Amani Ya Juu, Nairobi

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the effects of mentoring on self-efficacy, self-esteem and locus of control needs of economically poor women. The study focused on Amani ya Juu. The objectives of the study were to find out the effects of mentoring on self-efficacy, self-esteem and locus of control needs of economically poor women; explore the mentoring approach in bringing change to the economically poor women, and to find out whether there is a significant length of time for mentoring before change is evident. This mentoring at Amani ya juu is based on a community counselling approach that is guided by the pastoral counselling principles and the view of the human being that sees each person as having intrinsic value. It is also played out on Africa values and culture. The results of the study indicated that mentoring has a positive effect on self-efficacy self- esteem, and locus of control needs of economically poor women. The findings also indicated that mentoring is a viable counselling approach that brings change to economically poor women's well being and life. Finally the results indicate that the process of mentoring took time and the women started to show positive changes in their lives generally by the third year of the program. The findings also indicated that mentoring has appositive effect on the mental health of the women studied. This finding points to the fact that mentoring not only seeks to help women physically but holistically. The third significant contribution of this study was that the study showed psychological counselling must be culturally appropriate. The scales that were used in this study were western oriented and needed to be translated into Swahili in order for the respondent to interact with them well. There is, therefore, need for psychological scales that are suitable for the African culture.