Emotional Effects Of Domestic Violence On The Growth Of A Child In Narok County: A Case Of Narok North Sub-County.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Domestic violence towards children within the major cities in Kenya have been on the upward trend. However, the government has not been successful in arresting this situation effectively since the root cause had not been identified. The researcher therefore undertook this study in order to unearth the emotional effects of domestic violence on the growth of a child, with special interest in Narok North Sub-County in Narok County. Within this study, the researcher sought to investigate some specific objectives which included; emotional effects of domestic violence, that is, depression, anger, post traumatic disorders and anxiety. The research design was both quantitative and qualitative in nature owing to the use of the questionnaire which was coded in order to facilitate easy entry into the computer system. Owing to the large number of residents of narok north Sub-county, the researcher sought a sample frame of 50 participants. Out of these participants, the researcher chooses of these respondents as the sample. Questionnaires were then issued out of which all the questionnaires were filled and fully returned. The data from these questionnaires was entered into the computer system and analyzed through computer software known as SPSS from which conclusions were drawn. From the findings, the respondents pointed out that combating domestic violence towards children bore numerous advantages and should be encouraged as a means of ending emotional effects on the growth of a child. The respondents were also of the view that stopping domestic violence towards children was not an easy task to implement owing to cultural differences and customs in the society. The respondents also agreed with the emotional effects of domestic violence within the society which too many the main effects were anger, depression, and post traumatic disorder within the society. It was therefore concluded that abolishing domestic violence may not be achieved if the gains achieved so far are not guarded, efficient means are not instituted, problems treated from the cause and not from the effects.