The Relationship Between Exposure to Violent Media Content and Aggressive Behavior Among Adolescent Learners in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya Counties, Kenya

Adhiambo, Pauline; Odera, Peter; Maragia, Samuel

dc.contributor.author	Adhiambo, Pauline
dc.contributor.author	Odera, Peter
dc.contributor.author	Maragia, Samuel
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-07T07:39:40Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-07T07:39:40Z
dc.date.issued	2024
dc.identifier.citation	Abu-Baker, N. N., & Ayyd, S. N. (2018). The relationship between exposure to media violence and school bullying in Jordan. Global Journal of Health Science, 10(5), 154. Abuga, E. (2021, September). Student stabs two teachers at Kisii High. The Standard Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001399903/student-stabs-two-teachers-at-kisii-high Addo, P. C., Fang, J., Kulbo, N. B., Gumah, B., Dagadu, J. C., & Li, L. (2021). Violent video games and aggression among young adults: the moderating effects of adverse environmental factors. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(1), 17-23. Adedayo, S. S., & Aborisade, R. A. (2018). Social media and youth violence in Nigeria: a psychosocial review. IFE PsychologIA: An International Journal, 26(2), 153-162. Ahn, J. N., Hu, D., & Vega, M. (2020). “Do as I do, not as I say”: Using social learning theory to unpack the impact of role models on students' outcomes in education. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(2), e12517.66. Al-Ali, N. M., Yaghy, H. S., Shattnawi, K. K., & Al-Shdayfat, N. M. (2018). Parents' knowledge and beliefs about the impact of exposure to media violence on children's aggression. Issues in mental health nursing, 39(7), 592-599. Balan, R., Dobrean, A., Balazsi, R., Parada, R. H., & Predescu, E. (2022). The adolescent peer relations instrumentbully/target: Measurement invariance across gender, age, and clinical status. Journal of interpersonal violence, 37(3-4), 1484-1513. Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.ke/books/about/Social_learning_theory.html?id+IXvuAAAAMAAj Blackwell, L., Chen, T., Schoenebeck, S., & Lampe, C. (2018, June). When online harassment is perceived as justified. In Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media (Vol. 12, No. 1). Brierley, J. A. (2017). The role of a pragmatist paradigm when adopting mixed methods in behavioural accounting research. International Journal of Behavioural Accounting and Finance, 6(2), 140-154. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Designs: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd. Data Protection Act 2019. (2019). No. 181.24. Retrieved from http://kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/Acts/2019/TheDataProtectionAct__No24of2019.pdf Dieris-Hirche, J., Pape, M., Wildt, B. T., Kehyayan, A., Esch, M., Aicha, S., & Bottel, L. (2020). Problematic gaming behavior and the personality traits of video gamers: A cross-sectional survey. Computers in Human Behavior, 106, 106272. Eneizat, M. F., Halim, H., & Dalib, S. (2023). Moderating effect of gender and socioeconomic status on the relationship between media exposure and violent behaviour. Media Literacy and Academic Research, 6(1), 155-173.from https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/70143-list-33-high-schools-burnt-down-term Gallacher, J. D., Heerdink, M. W., & Hewstone, M. (2021). Online engagement between opposing political protest groups via social media is linked to physical violence of offline encounters. Social Media+ Society, 7(1), 2056305120984445. Gerwin, R. L., Kaliebe, K., & Daigle, M. (2018). The interplay between digital media use and development. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 27(2), 345-355.Vol. 5 (Iss. 4) 2024, pp. 852-864 African Journal of Empirical Research https://ajernet.net ISSN 2709-2607 863 Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC) Grizzard, M., Huang, J., Weiss, J. K., Novotny, E. R., Fitzgerald, K. S., Ahn, C., ... & Chu, H. (2020). Graphic violence as moral motivator: The effects of graphically violent content in news. In Media, Terrorism and Society (pp. 29-49). Routledge. Guo, X. (2022). Research on the influence of media violence on youth. In 2021 International Conference on Social Development and Media Communication (SDMC 2021) (pp. 1170-1173). Atlantis Press. Huesmann, L. R. (2018). An integrative theoretical understanding of aggression: A brief exposition. Current opinion in psychology, 19, 119-124. Kamaku, M. N. (2021). Effect of Television Viewing on Students’ Unrest in Secondary Schools in Kiambu County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED). Kamaku, M. N., Mberia, H. E. L. E. N., & Ngula, D. K. W. (2016). Television Viewing Duration and Students „unrest In Secondary Schools in Kenya. International Journal of Advanced Research, 2(9), 237-249. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 2019 Kenya population and housing census, volume 1: Population by county and sub-county. Retrieved from htpps://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-andhousing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-subcounty Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Volume 1: Population by County and Sub-county. Retrieved from https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=2019-kenya-population-andhousing-census-volume-i-population-by-county-and-subcounty Khurana, A., Bleakley, A., Ellithorpe, M. E., Hennessy, M., Jamieson, P. E., & Weitz, I. (2019). Media violence exposure and aggression in adolescents: A risk and resilience perspective. Aggressive Behavior, 45(1), 70-81. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. Lee, J. (2020). The implication of bandura's vicarious reinforcement in observational learning for Christian education. Journal of Christian Education in Korea, 61, 81-107. Lee, J. (2020). The implication of Bandura's vicarious reinforcement in observational learning for Christian education. Journal of Christian Education in Korea, 61, 81-107. Livazović, G. (2014). Role of media in adolescent social relationships and personal development. Applied Social Psychology, 69. Livazović, G. (2014). Role of media in adolescent social relationships and personal development. Applied Social Psychology, 69. Mohamed, R. (2024). Media violence and behavior of youths in Kenya. GSJ, 12(2). Mohamed, R. (2024). Media violence and behaviour of youths in kenya. GSJ, 12(2). Mooijman, M., Hoover, J., Lin, Y., Ji, H., & Dehghani, M. (2018). Moralization in social networks and the emergence of violence during protests. Nature human behaviour, 2(6), 389-396. Mooijman, M., Hoover, J., Lin, Y., Ji, H., & Dehghani, M. (2018). Moralization in social networks and the emergence of violence during protests. Nature Human Behaviour, 2(6), 389-396. Muchui D., (2024, September 10). ‘Six students from Njia Boys School under probe over dorm fire’. Nation Media Newspaper. Retrieved from https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/six-students-from-njia-boys-school-underprobe-over-dorm-fire-4755998 Muchui, D. (2024, September 10). Six students from Njia Boys School under probe over dorm fire. Nation Media Newspaper. Retrieved from https://nation.africa/kenya/videos/six-students-from-njia-boys-school-underprobe-over-dorm-fire-4755998 Murage, G. (2024, July 18). Naivasha girl dies by suicide after alleged school suspension. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-07-18-naivasha-girl-dies-by-suicide-after-alleged-school-suspension/ Murage, G. (2024, July 18). Naivasha girl dies by suicide after alleged school suspension. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-07-18-naivasha-girl-dies-by-suicide-after-alleged-school-suspension/ Mwangi, E. W. (2020). Assessment of the Role of Socialisation Agents in Shaping Pupils’ Behavior in Primary Schools in Thika Sub-County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Karatina University). Mwangi, E. W. (2020). Assessment of the role of socialization agents in shaping pupils’ behavior in primary schools in Thika Sub-county, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Karatina University). Näsi, M., Tanskanen, M., Kivivuori, J., Haara, P., & Reunanen, E. (2021). Crime news consumption and fear of violence: The role of traditional media, social media, and alternative information sources. Crime & Delinquency, 67(4), 574-600. Näsi, M., Tanskanen, M., Kivivuori, J., Haara, P., & Reunanen, E. (2021). Crime news consumption and fear of violence: The role of traditional media, social media, and alternative information sources. Crime & Delinquency, 67(4), 574-600.Vol. 5 (Iss. 4) 2024, pp. 852-864 African Journal of Empirical Research https://ajernet.net ISSN 2709-2607 864 Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC) Nyabundi, D, K. (2018, July 18). Stakeholders differ on the causes of school unrest in Nyanza as more students riot. The Standard Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001287152/n-a Nyabundi, D. K. (2018, July 18). Stakeholders differ on the causes of school unrest in Nyanza as more students riot. The Standard Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001287152/n-a Okuley, J. N. S. (2023). A critical discourse analysis of selected children’s animated cartoons of African origin (Doctoral dissertation, University of Education, Winneba). Oluoch, D. (2017, September 14). Five horrific cases of domestic violence against women in Kenya in the past three months. The Standard Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/living/article/2001272080/five-horrific-cases-of-domesticviolence-against-women-in-kenya-in-the-past-three-months Owiti, G. (2024, September 1). Several secondary schools in Machakos to close indefinitely over students unrest. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/eastern/2024-09-01-several-secondary-schools-inmachakos-to-close-indefinitely-over-students-unrest/ Parada, R. H. (2000). Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument: A Theoretical and Empirical Basis for the Measurement of Participant Roles in Bullying and Victimization of Adolescence: An Interim Test Manual and a Research Monograph: A Test Manual. Penrith South, DC, Australia: Publication Unit, Self-concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation (SELF) Research Centre, University of Western Sydney. Parmaksiz, I., & Kiliçarslan, S. (2021). Aggression and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Phubbing. PsychoEducational Research Reviews, 10(3), 189-203. Parry, D. A., Davidson, B. I., Sewall, C. J., Fisher, J. T., Mieczkowski, H., & Quintana, D. S. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of discrepancies between logged and self-reported digital media use. Nature Human Behaviour, 5(11), 1535-1547. Rumjaun, A., & Narod, F. (2020). Social learning theory—Albert Bandura. In Akpan, B., & Kennedy, T. J. (Eds.), Science Education in Theory and Practice. Springer Texts in Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43620-9_7 Sobkin, V. S., & Fedotova, A. V. (2021). Adolescents on social media: Aggression and cyberbullying. Psychology in Russia, 14(4), 186. Viner, R. M., Gireesh, A., Stiglic, N., Hudson, L. D., Goddings, A. L., Ward, J. L., & Nicholls, D. E. (2019). Roles of cyberbullying, sleep, and physical activity in mediating the effects of social media use on mental health and wellbeing among young people in England: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 3(10), 685-696. Vorasiha, E. (2018). Media exposure through new media. International Journal of Health Sciences, 4, 1499-1505. Wiedeman, A. M., Black, J. A., Dolle, A. L., Finney, E. J., & Coker, K. L. (2015). Factors influencing the impact of aggressive and violent media on children and adolescents. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 25, Part A, 191- 198, November-December 2015. Wilson, G., & McGill, M. (2018, October). Violent video games in virtual reality: Re-evaluating the impact and rating of interactive experiences. In Proceedings of the 2018 Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play (pp. 535-548). Wulansari, O. D. E., Pirker, J., Kopf, J., & Guetl, C. (2020). Video games and their correlation to empathy: How to teach and experience empathic emotion. In The Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on Engineering Education: Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL2019)–Volume 1 22 (pp. 151-163). Springer International Publishing. Zhang, Q., Cao, Y., & Tian, J. (2021). Effects of violent video games on aggressive cognition and aggressive behavior. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(1), 5-10. Zheng, X., Chen, H., Wang, Z., Xie, F., & Bao, Z. (2021). Online violent video games and online aggressive behavior among Chinese college students: The role of anger rumination and self‐control. Aggressive behavior, 47(5), 514-520.Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.ke/books/abuout/Social_learning_theory.html?id+IXvuAAAAMAAj&redir	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	2709-2607
dc.identifier.uri	http://erepository.kafuco.ac.ke/123456789/271
dc.description.abstract	This study explores the relationship between exposure to violent media content and aggressive behavior among adolescent secondary school students in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya Counties, Kenya. These counties have relatively high media technology access, particularly mobile phones and radio, which exceed national averages. They also report notable incidences of student aggression, with Siaya and Kisii counties showing high rates of student unrest. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, the study used a pragmatic paradigm with a convergent parallel design, incorporating both descriptive survey and correlational research methods. A sample of 417 students was drawn from a population of 190,555, selected using stratified random sampling method. Data collection involved questionnaires, content analysis, and the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI). A pilot study conducted in Vihiga County confirmed the reliability of the instruments, with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.87. The study revealed a significant correlation between aggression and exposure to violent content on television (r = 0.211, p = 0.000), with television identified as the most substantial contributor to aggression (B = 0.218, p = 0.001). Notably, 46% of adolescents in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya reported constant exposure to violent media, while 11% frequently imitated the violence observed, primarily on mobile phones. Additionally, 9% of respondents justified the violence they encountered, and 56.5% exhibited mild violent tendencies. The study concludes that exposure to violent media content is linked to increased aggressive behavior among adolescents in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya counties. The study recommends stricter enforcement of media violence regulations, including enhanced penalties and parental guidance ratings, alongside the introduction of media literacy programs in schools. Additionally, it calls for limiting unsupervised internet access for minors, particularly in public cybercafes, to mitigate the negative influence of violent media content.	en_US
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.publisher	African Journal of Empirical Research	en_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries	Vol. 5;
dc.subject	Adolescents, Aggression, Media exposure, Social Learning	en_US
dc.title	The Relationship Between Exposure to Violent Media Content and Aggressive Behavior Among Adolescent Learners in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya Counties, Kenya	en_US
dc.type	Other	en_US