The Impact of Stigmatization on Behavior Change among Young Adults from First Love Kenya

Family reintegration is one of the processes that are critical and sensitive after children go through rehabilitation and psychological recovery. Many young people reunite with their biological parents or guardians after attaining the legal age of being termed as young adults. Since reintegration is not an event but a process, many things come to play. Several young adults who have reintegrated with their families after healing, treatment, recovery, and stabilization in the children’s homes exhibit disruptive behaviour and psychological disorders after being reunited with their guardians or families. This study is anchored in reintegrative shaming theory, Goffman’s Stigma theory and behavioural change theory. The study aimed to examine the impact of stigmatization on behaviour change among young adults from First Love Kenya. The study group consisted of 92 respondents: 71 young adults, one children officer, and 20 parents/guardians. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and an interview guide. The research instruments were validated by a reliability test and was found to be credible. Upon collection, the data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis. Descriptive statistics were percentages, frequency counts, mean and standard deviation. At the same time, the inferential statistics tested the hypotheses using Pearson’s correlation test to correlate family reintegration and behaviour change. Regression analysis was then used to measure the effect of shaming, stigmatization, and reintegration on behaviour change. Results showed that stigmatization had a negative and significant impact on change of behaviour among young adults (β = -.39 p = .000<.05). Further, reintegration had a negative though insignificant impact on change of behaviour among young adults (p =.985>.05). The study concluded that shaming and stigmatization contributes significantly to negative change of behaviour among young adults. The study recommended the need for stakeholders to review the policies on reintegration. The focus should be on how to eliminate defensiveness and attitude of worthlessness among young adults; how to enhance social skills among young adults, and how to deal with depression, rebellion and aggression; and how to enhance confidence, self-esteem, and acceptance among young adults. Keywords: Stigmatization, behaviour change, young adults