The Relationship between Family Attributes and Violence Exposure among Pre-Primary II Children in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between family-related attributes and the occurrence of violence against pre-primary II children in Kitui County, Kenya.
Methodology: The study employed an analytical cross-sectional design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population comprised 34,526 pre-primary two children, 3,006 teachers, and an equal number of parents or caregivers. A sample of 50 schools (10%) was selected using simple random sampling. The total sample size for the study was 658 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires, observation checklists, a standardized violence exposure screening tool, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
Findings: The findings revealed that that domestic neglect was the most common family risk factor. It was reported by 40.0% of teachers and 37.5% of children’s officers. Caregivers, especially step-parents and relatives, often failed to meet children's basic needs. Marital instability and domestic violence accounted for 24.0% and 25.0% of reports respectively. Poverty and financial struggles were pointed out by 25.0% of children’s officers as contributing factors.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The findings reinforce the Culture of Violence Theory, highlighting how social and cultural norms legitimize harsh discipline, and the Family Systems Theory, which emphasizes that family dysfunction transmits emotional and behavioral consequences to children. From a policy perspective, interventions should target family-level risk factors through poverty alleviation programs, parental education, substance abuse mitigation, and family counselling initiatives.