Relationship between Guidance and Counseling Services and Socio-Economic Status and Psychological Status of Former Public Servants Residing in Vihiga County, Kenya

Abstract

Pension is paid to former workers residing in Vihiga County to help them transit safely into retirement. In spite of this, a number of these retirees still find difficulties with far reaching negative social ramification. As a result of these problems, different  measures have been introduced to mitigate the situation. For instance adjustment upwards of retirement age, removal of mandatory retirement age or introduction of new forms of pension. Despite the measures, retirees have continued to suffer. This study, therefore, intended to determine if there exists any relationship between guidance and counseling services and socioeconomic status and psychological status of the retirees. The study was guided jointly by three theories, namely, social disengagement theory, activity theory and continuity theory. A descriptive ex-post facto survey research design was used to conduct the study in Vihiga County Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select a total sample of 198 participants from a population of 958 former public servants. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Mathematical techniques that comprised percentiles, and chi square with the help of SPSS version 17 were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study showed that there was a relationship between guidance and counseling services received and the socioeconomic and psychological status of retirees. Thus the study recommended that there is a need to establish formal guidance and counselling services to prepare former workers with skills that will help them face socioeconomic hardships that occasion psychological problems.