Expectations About Counseling for a Mental Illness Among Primary School Teacher Trainees in Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine and document expectations about counseling for a mental illness among public primary teacher trainees in Kenya. Self-administered demographic questionnaire and opinions about mental illness scale brief form (EAC-BF) were presented to the participants. The EAC-BF consisted of three factors of personal commitment, facilitative conditions and counselor expertise. The ethical protocol was followed from getting authority from the Ethics Board to informed consent from the participants. Out of the 2925 questionnaires presented, 2777 were returned fully filled, a return rate of 94.34%. Summative scores indicated moderate (between 2.34 and 4.67) towards negative expectations about counseling, with significant differences in year of study, gender, marital status, or ever taught before coming to college. There was a correlation between all the EAC factors. This study found more negative expectations about counseling for a mental illness and recommended on an intervention to improve expectations towards counseling.