Relationship between Affective Experiences and Management of Quarter Life Crisis among Fourth Year Students in Public Universities in the Eastern Region of Kenya

Abstract

University students often experience quarter-life crisis, a transitional phase that requires momentous adaptation given the academic workloads, financial burden, relationship struggles and the uncertain future. Therefore, this study sought to examine the relationship between affective experiences and management of quarter life crisis among fourth year students in public universities ssin the Eastern region of Kenya. The correlational research design was adopted for the study with a population of 9,006 made up of fourth year university students and student counsellors. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 368 respondents with 358 university students and 10 student counsellors. The instruments used for data collection were, self-mastery scale, students’ questionnaire and an interview guide. Prior to data collection, ethical clearance was done, the necessary permits obtained and respondents assured of confidentiality as well as voluntary participation. The collected date was analyzed through correlational analysis, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis methods with the aid of SPSS version 21.0. The findings indicated that there was a weak positive relationship between affective experiences and management of quarter life crisis among fourth year students in public universities in the Eastern region of Kenya. It was recommended that policy makers in the ministry of education infuse emotional intelligence into university curriculum in order to intentionally enhance students’ affective experiences in preparation for management of quarter life crisis. The psychologists to consider designing evidence-based interventions and programs to help students manage quarter life crisis through proactive affective experiences while the university students may need to be proactive in cultivating emotional maturity and investing appropriately for the inevitable quarter life crisis.