Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Religious

Severity of Depression among Incarcerated Men in Meru, Main Prison

Muriira Denis Muriungi — 2024-10-28

Purpose: Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders globally and it is known to cause impairment in cognitive, social, emotional and occupational functioning. In Kenya, a moderate to high prevalence of depression has been established among incarcerated men in several prisons, Meru main prison included. This study, therefore sought to assess the severity of depression among incarcerated men in Meru, Main Prison.

Methodology: The study employed a quasi-experimental research design. The study was conducted in Meru, Main Prison. A sample size of 148 inmates was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Quantitative data was obtained from the social demographic questionnaire and the BDI-II.

Results: The study found that the severity of depression among incarcerated men in Meru main prison was higher at 46.3% as opposed to moderate depression at 27.9%, and mild depression at 18%. This implied that prisoners going through severe depression are more than those other levels of depression.

Conclusion: The study concluded that severity of depression was higher among the participants aged 20 to 30 years compared to other age categories and among the first time in prison. The proportion of clinical depression was higher among young adults aged 20-30 years in prison compared to the middle adults and adults 30-50 years. Therefore, it is recommended that the government of Kenya may engage young adults with job opportunities, and social engagement. This might limit the proportion of young adults languishing in prison instead of utilizing their youthful strength productively in society.

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Gang Participation Among Youth in Mombasa County, Kenya: From the Perspective of Household Challenges

Salma Ahmed Hussein — 2024-10-31

Purpose: Gang participation has become a universal phenomenon attracting increasing attention in both developed and developing countries. Previous research denotes strong evidence that early life adverse traumas and events heighten the risk of delinquent behaviour among young people. This study aimed to find out whether there is a relationship between household challenges and gang participation among youth gang members in Mombasa County. This study was guided by the Interactional Theory by Terrence Thornberry (1987).

Methods: This study employed a correlational research design within the context of Ex-post facto research. The study population consisted of alleged, convicted, and reforming gang members in Mombasa. They were drawn from a database accessed by the Nyali District Peace Committee (DPC) which has 358 members aged between 15-31 years. Purposive, and snowball sampling techniques were used to gather data from the sample. Descriptive statistics namely, frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency were used. Inferential statistics namely the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient, linear, and regression was then employed to establish the relationship between household challenges and gang participation.

Results: The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between gang participation and household challenges (r = 0.876, p < 0.01).

Implication: The findings of this study will guide the formulation of programs and interventions for the rehabilitation and reintegration of these gang members. These can be of help to Civil Society Organizations, law enforcement agencies, and probation officers.

Effects of House Fellowships on the Spiritual Growth of Members: A Case Study of Parklands Baptist Church, Westlands, Nairobi County

Teresiah W. Ngarama — 2024-10-31

Abstract

Purpose: In Kenya, the lack of knowledge on the importance of house group fellowship on spiritual development and growth has become very prominent despite the increasing number of denominations in the country. Guided by the biblical learning from the book of Hosea 4:6 which expounds that, “People perish due to lack of knowledge’, individuals have been affected by spiritual ignorance leaving society in an unsafe spot where the devil can easily deceive and manipulate them. Despite this increasing growth of house fellowships, there is also a notable increase in cases of inconsistency, lack of commitment; fear, sin, individual relationships, busyness, and ignorance of the things of God that have continued to escalate from time to time. The purpose of this research work was to assess the effects of house group fellowship on the spiritual growth of members of Parkland Baptist Church Westlands-Nairobi County.

Methods: The study was conducted among various house groups within the church. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research design. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and oral interviews with members and leaders of the various house groups as well as pastors. The interviews were guided by the research questions while secondary data was derived from online sources: Journals, books, and websites. The collected data was analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences.

Results: The findings from the analyzed data were displayed using frequency distribution, percentage tables, and pie charts. The results established a positive relationship between good leadership, interpersonal relationships, communal worship, and spiritual development. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship between spiritual growth and common shared interest between the house fellowship members as well as the member’s culture.

Implication: The study recommends that to boast spiritual growth, leaders in the house fellowship need to allow their members to express their views in a free environment. Further, house fellowship as well as church leadership should support and allow their members to use their talents, gifts, and skills to serve both in the church and house fellowship group’s gatherings. Also, the study recommends more emphasis to be given to the issues of culture and interpersonal growth as this will contribute to spiritual growth and development of the house fellowship church which will be a win for both the worshippers and the overall church at large.

Social Media Use for Evangelization and Vocational Discernment by Priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa

Jefferson Mbatia Kimbio — 2024-11-13

Purpose: This study explored how priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa utilize social media for evangelization and vocational discernment. Adopting a descriptive research design approach, the research sought to establish the extent of priests’ engagement on social media for evangelization and vocational discernment, discover strategies employed on social media that enhanced faith sharing and building communion, examine the appropriate use of social media for catechesis and vocational discernment and identify factors that hindered priests from effectively using social media for evangelization and vocational discernment.

Methods: The study was guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. The target population comprised of 97diocesans and 22 religious. Using the Krejcie and Morgan formula of sample size determination, a sample size of 91 respondents was selected. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was done to check the reliability and validity of the questionnaires. Data was analyzed quantitatively. For the quantitative data, descriptive and correlation analysis were used.

Results: The study findings revealed that while many priests are active on social media, their engagement levels vary significantly. However, challenges such as lack of training, digital literacy, and concerns about online behaviour hinder optimal use. Moreover, technology competency and years of service as priest significantly influenced the use of social media for evangelization and vocational discernment by priests.

Conclusion: The research gap is, despite the growing use of social media, there is limited research on its specific impact on vocational discernment and the unique challenges faced by priests in this context. The following recommendations were made: a need to implement comprehensive training for priests on digital literacy and effective social media use, establish support systems to assist priests in managing their social media presence, and address challenges.

Demystifying the Jealousy of God: An Exegesis of Exodus 20:1-6

Kiratu Ndungu Eliazar — 2024-11-18

This article seeks to demystify a rare attribute: the jealousy of God, as preached, taught, or caught from our pulpits. Jealousy of God is generally viewed as a negative trait since it is often associated with jealousy of man which often plays out as envy or wounded pride, thus the reluctance to teach and preach about it. In our examination of Exodus 20:1-6, we find that after all, Jealousy is an admirable attribute of God that refers to his intense desire towards the objects of his covenant love, to preserve them only for himself. God’s jealousy and his covenant love are two sides of the same coin. God is Jealous because he loves. The message of jealousy is grounded on worship of Yahweh alone which is in sharp contrast with contemporary celebrity worship and ‘wo/man of God’[1] syndrome. The manifestation of Yahweh’s jealousy in punishing the children for the sins of their fathers is not a negation of self-determination nor an advocacy of collective retribution but an acknowledgment of the devastating effect of the failure of a patriarch to lead his children in the true worship of Yahweh. Yahweh’s revelation as a jealous God, being part of the first word of the הַדְּבָרִ֥ים of Exodus 20 underscores the importance of teaching and preaching on this attribute in the church. This study hopes to rouse the preachers and biblical teachers to this need and provide helpful insights to prepare them for the noble task of preaching/teaching the whole council of God.

Stakeholders’ Training Initiatives by Neo-Pentecostal Churches can Alleviate Domestic Water Scarcity in Tigania West Constituency

Kiambi James Thambura Atheru, PhD — 2024-12-17

Church teachings and doctrines are expected to be all-inclusive. Therefore, Neo-Pentecostal Churches (NPCs) in Tigania West should incorporate water stakeholder training into their spiritual and community responsibilities. By partnering with NGOs, Bible schools, and technical institutions, NPCs can equip leaders with skills in sustainable water management to address domestic water scarcity, improve access, reduce diseases, and enhance livelihoods. This study explored the training initiatives for water stakeholders by Neo-Pentecostal churches on alleviation of domestic water scarcity in Tigania West constituency, where 97% of the population faces severe water challenges. Despite biblical mandates in Matthew 28:20 and Ezekiel 34:17-19, which call for addressing both spiritual and practical needs, NPCs however perceive water stakeholder training as outside their biblical mandate. This narrow focus on spiritual matters highlights a gap in their involvement in addressing water scarcity menace. Using the Theological Reflection Theory, the study adopted a qualitative approach and phenomenological research design. It targeted 22 registered NPCs in Tigania West, with a sample of 59 participants who were sampled using cluster sampling technique. Respondents were pastors and church members. Data was collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis, with pre-testing ensuring validity and reliability. Thematic analysis technique was applied to analyze the collected data. Findings revealed that NPCs lacked formal water management training programs, although some churches expressed interest in vocational initiatives like rainwater harvesting and infrastructure development. The study concluded that NPCs’ limited engagement with water scarcity represents a missed opportunity to align spiritual teachings with community development. The study recommends collaboration of NPCs, Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), NGOs, and Bible schools, with technical institutions in organizing workshops, seminars, and other capacity-building initiatives regarding water management and access. These initiatives would provide practical knowledge on water catchment protection, rainwater harvesting, and infrastructure development, thus enhancing NPCs' role in bridging faith and social responsibility.