_Influence Of Psychosocial Support Services On Socio Economic Status Of Refugees From Democratic Republic Of Congo In Kenya: A Case Of Urban Refugee Assistance Program In Nairobi County.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of psychosocial support on socio economic status of refugees. The research objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of guidance and counseling services, examine influence of psychotherapy services, determine influence of capacity building services and to assess influence of integration services on the promotion of socioeconomic status of refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo. The research design was descriptive research design. The target populations of this study were refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo, Social workers and counseling psychologists. The targets of the study were refugees residing in Kayole and Kasarani. The Sample size of this study was determined using Krejce and Morgan Table (1970), this was 351 refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo and 19 representatives from NGO. The study focused on two sampling procedures; stratified random sampling to select sample size in each stratum and purposive sampling based on a characteristic of the population and objective of the study. Pilot testing was conducted as a preliminary test of data collection tools and procedures that identified and eliminated challenges before the actual data collection process. Questionnaires were administered to refugees and Focus Group Discussions was conducted to social workers and counseling psychologist. Interpreters offered guidance to refugees who were illiterate. Questionnaire was developed using Likert scale format. Secondary data was obtained from published articles, journals, books, newspapers and organizational data. Data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS). Primary data collected was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques and presented in frequencies, tabulation and percentages. The findings of the study on the influence of psychological guidance and counseling services on socio economic status of the respondents showed that only 67 (19.1%) of the respondents feels psychological guidance and counseling have not at all influence. The findings on the influence of psychotherapy services on socio economic status of the respondents showed only 42 (12%) of the respondents feel that psychotherapy services have not at all influence. The findings on the influence of capacity building services on socio economic status of refugees showed only 30 (8.5%) of the respondents feel that capacity building services have not at all influence. The findings on the Influence of integration services on socio and economic status of refugees showed that only 31 (8.8%) of the respondents feel integration services have not at all influence. The findings show that psychological guidance and counseling, psychotherapy, capacity building and integration services have positive influence to socio economic status of refugees. The study recommended work permit process should be eased for refugees, the number of social workers and counseling psychologists should be increased, refugees should be sensitized and educated on what psychotherapy services and their awareness to be raised, solutions proposed by refugees should be taken into account, and need for review of integration services. Suggestions of the study were to establish strategies used by humanitarian workers to implement psychosocial support services and also to investigate refugees’ contribution to the economy of the country of asylum