Influence of Selected Psychosocial Factors on Parents and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing During the Long School Holiday Due to Corona Virus (Covid-19): A Perception Parents and Learners in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of study was to establish whether there was any influence of Selected Psychosocial Factors on Parents and Learners Mental Wellbeing during the long school holiday Due to Corona Virus (COVID-19). School seemed to plays an important role in protecting children from various psychosocial harm and the sudden closure worried parents.

Methodology: The study adopted an explanatory survey design and a mixed method approach. Sampling techniques included purposive and stratified sampling methods. The target populations were all learners in the county aged between 10-19 years old totaling up to 278,791 and 1080 parents. Data collection instruments were sets of questionnaire and focus group discussion.

Findings: After computing data statistically, the findings of the study were (r = 0. 592, p < 0.05) physical aspects; (r=0. 596, p<0.05) social aspects and (r=0.685, ρ<0.05) psychological aspect and observed positive and significant effect on the relationship between selected psychosocial factors on parents and learner’s mental wellbeing during the long school holiday due to (COVID-19).

Conclusion: The study concluded that the sudden closure of schools strained parents and learners physically, socially and psychologically causing psychosocial distress. Therefore, parents and learners need to nurture resilience to recover quickly from difficulties. The physical, social and emotional security of children needs to be prioritized by all parents.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that parents and learners need to nurture resilience which is the capacity to recover quickly or spring back into normal from difficulties. This means as the Ministry of Health update the public on the status of COVID -19, there is need to have psychologists to offer advice to the public on how to cope and manage the situation mentally and socially as a way of building resilience.