Psychological Impact of Empowerment Programs on Single Mothers in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Eldoret Presbytery, Kenya
Main Article Content
Keywords
Single mothers, psychological empowerment, Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), faith-based organizations, Eldoret Presbytery, mental health
Abstract
Single mothers in Kenya, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas like Eldoret, face severe socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, unemployment and high cost of living coupled with significant psycho-social pressure, including marginalization and stigma. This dual burden frequently results in heightened psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression and low self-efficacy. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) is a key provider of community support, implementing various empowerment programs to offer financial, social, and spiritual aid through its local Presbyteries. However, the psychological impact and effectiveness of these specific PCEA empowerment initiatives on the self-efficacy and overall mental well-being of single mothers in the Eldoret Presbytery remain critically under-documented. This knowledge gap affects the church’s ability to refine interventions, allocate resources effectively and advocate for complementary services. Therefore, this study aims to investigates the psychological impacts of PCEA empowerment programs on single mothers in Eldoret Presbytery, Kenya. This research was grounded on Feminist Theory. The study utilized mixed-methods approach, adopting a convergent parallel design. The target population comprised single mothers, evangelists, and pastors affiliated with PCEA Eldoret Presbytery. A total of 160 participants were included, consisting of 150 single mothers selected through a census approach and 10 pastors and evangelists purposively chosen for their direct involvement in empowerment programs. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using SPSS (descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation) and thematic analysis. The findings reveal that PCEA’s empowerment initiatives enhance single mothers’ psychological and socio-economic well-being, with significant improvements in self-esteem, resilience, coping capacity and access to social networks. Financial empowerment, particularly through microfinance and vocational training, complemented psychological benefits by reducing stress linked to economic insecurity. However, significant gaps remain, as some participants reported inconsistent access to counseling services, limited professional mental health support, and insufficient inclusivity in program design. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive relationship between psychological empowerment and overall empowerment outcomes (r = 0.701, p < 0.01), underscoring the central role of mental health in sustaining broader empowerment. The study concludes that empowerment programs run by PCEA have a measurable positive psychological impact on single mothers, but their effectiveness is constrained by resource limitations and inconsistent service delivery. It recommends strengthening mental health support, professional counseling and inclusive program structures to enhance resilience and sustainable empowerment among single mothers.
References
Amuche, E. P. (2021). The Church and Single Parenting in Africa. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Review, 11(2), 273–284. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349671157_The_Church_and_Single_Parenting_in_Africa
Callaghan, M. A., Watchiba, D., Purkey, E., Davison, C. M., Aldersey, H. M., & Bartels, S. A. (2021). “I don’t know where i have to knock for support”: A mixed-methods study on perceptions and experiences of single mothers raising children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
18(19), 10399.
Clark, S., Kabiru, C. W., & Muthuri, S. (2024). Single motherhood and stress in a Kenyan urban informal settlement. Journal of Family Issues, 45(3), 410–428. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X221150978
Dharani, M. K., & Balamurugan, J. (2024). The financial hardships of single mothers: A review of two decades. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7(8), 2024179-2024179. https://www.malque.pub/ojs/index.php/mr/article/view/2649
Ekitala, A. L., &Wosyanju, M. G. (2018). The Role of the Church in Combating Negative Ethnicity in Kenya: A Survey of Mainline Churches in Eldoret, Kenya
Ferguson, K. E. (2017). Feminist theory today. Annual Review of Political Science, 20, 269- 286. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-052715-111648
Feuerbacher, H. (2019). The Unmarried (M) Other: A Study of Christianity, Capitalism, and Counternarratives Concerning Motherhood and Marriage in the United States and South Africa. Southern Methodist University. https://scholar.smu.edu/religious_studies_etds/19/
https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15461
Jain, M., & Mahmoodi, V. (2022). Being one in a world of twos: experiences and consequences of single parenting. Graduate Student Journal of Psychology, 18. https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/gsjp/article/view/10930
Kathenya, B. M. (2020). Single women and the Church: The experiences of single women in the Methodist Church in Kenya (Master’s thesis, MF Norwegian School of Theology). PDF: https://mfopen.mf.no/mf-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2734649/1007_Kathenya%2C%20Benjamin%20Mati.pdf?sequence=1
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Kenya demographic and health survey 2022. Nairobi: KNBS.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022. https://www.knbs.or.ke/reports/kdhs-2022/
Kiragu, P., Mbiti, J., & Gachara, R. (2024). Mitigation strategies to the challenges of women singlehood in Kerith Churches of Kenya. E-Conscientia Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(1). PDF: https://editoncpublishing.org/ecpj/index.php/ECJAHSS/article/download/472/452
Kubai, E. G. (2023). The experiences of unmarried single mothers in the Methodist Church in Kenya (Master’s thesis, University of Oslo). https://www.duo.uio.no/handle/10852/103747
Lim, S., & Karlan, D. (2016). Women’s economic self-help groups: A systematic review. Campbell Collaboration. https://www.campbellcollaboration.org/review/women-empowerment-economic-self-help-programmes/
Makbuhele, S. M. (2015). The Stigma of the Single Parent in the Church: A Case Study of the United Pentecostal Church, South Africa [Master's thesis, University of the Western Cape]. UWCScholar. https://uwcscholar.uwc.ac.za/bitstreams/c8434266-974c-48ae-85df-4d45fc3989ef/download
Maponga, N. (2022). Psychological stressors of and coping strategies used by single mothers working in the informal economy in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. University of Johannesburg (South Africa).
Masters, K. S., Emerson IV, R. W., & Hooker, S. A. (2022). Effects of devotional prayer and secular meditation on cardiovascular response to a faith challenge among Christians. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 14(2), 251. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-65457-001.html
Mbithi, J. N. (2019). Single parenting in Kenya: Issues, challenges and solutions. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies. 4(1). https://oapub.org/soc/index.php/EJSSS/article/view/508
Moturi, R. B. (2021). Assessment of the challenges faced by single mothers on their spiritual growth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nyanchwa Station, Kisii County (Master’s thesis, Mount Kenya University). https://erepository.mku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5715
Mubanga, L., & Kasongo, F. (2023). Unearthing Challenges Associated with Single Parenthood at 'JOSAM' Church in Lusaka, Zambia. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), 10(8), 26–37. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrsi/digital-library/volume-10-issue-8/26-37.pdf
Mwawana, P. K. (2011). The Role Of Microfinance In Alleviating Poverty Among Women Groups In Kisauni District, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Mwindi, L. M., Kagema, D. N., & Kithinji, C. M. (2024). Assessment of the socio-political and economic impact of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in the Eastern region from 1915 to 2022. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS), 3(1), 33-46. http://journals.editononline.com/index.php/jhss/article/view/582
Neitz, M. J. (2018). Feminist Methodologies: Feminist standpoint analysis. In The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion (pp. 57-71). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003222491-5/feminist-methodologies-mary-jo-neitz
Ngigi, H. N. (2017). Effects of single parenting on the academic performance of teenagers in selected high schools in Ngong, Kajiado County Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Africa international University, Kenya).
Njagi, C. W. (2017). The Role of Faith--Based Organizations In Curbing Gender--Based Violence In Nairobi County, Kenya. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya. https://ir-library.mmust.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/263
Nunag-Hicks, C. (2015). Toward A Peminist Critical Theory In Women’s Studies: Academic Ideology And The Challenge Of Filipina Feminism (Doctoral dissertation, University of Colorado Denver).
Omwoyo, J. M. (2023). Social Acceptability and Psycho-Spiritual Well-Being of Single Mothers in Rural Kenya. International Journal of Research and Publication Reviews, 4(7), 517-526. https://ijrpr.com/uploads/V6ISSUE7/IJRPR50409.pdf
Radey, M. (2018). Informal support among low-income mothers post welfare reform: A systematic review. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(12), 3782-3805. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-018-1223-0
Richter, L., & Morrell, R. (2008). Fathering: the role of men in raising children in Africa—holding up the other half of the sky. Africa’s Future, Africa’s Challenge, 44(7), 151-525. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=scMyMPsfg6gC&oi=fnd&pg=PA151&dq=Richter+%26+Morrell,+2008&ots=pO09h8-l-v&sig=Tn9duHtktlIoakHT-8cH6IPzp94&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Richter%20%26%20Morrell%2C%202008&f=false
Sihag, A. (2025). Status and Well-Being of Single Mothers: Challenges and Psychological Distress. In Empowering Indian Women Through Resilience: Recent Developments and Future Perspective (pp. 237-257). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-0986-4_12
Sisay, T. M. (2024). Single Mothers Matter: A Call to Action from a Christian Perspective [Doctoral dissertation, California Baptist University]. CBU SHARE Repository. https://share.calbaptist.edu/bitstreams/9a5d49f7-fc52-4b30-9563-cf022bb96544/download
Suwardani, N. P., & Yasintha, P. N. (2019). Religious Coping Strategy Management On Social Cultural Pressure In Single Mother. Grand Academic Portal, 2(2), 148-155
Teshome, A. (2024). The Psychosocial Implication Of Adolescent Raised In Begging Family: The Case Of Arada Subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, St. Mary’s University).
Vo, T., & Canty, L. (2023). Global mental health experiences of single mothers: A mixed methods research synthesis. Journal of advanced nursing, 79(1), 68-82.
Article Sidebar
Article Details
Mary Muthoni Kigaita , Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Gaba Campus, P.O BOX 908-30100 Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Gaba Campus, P.O BOX 908-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Ann Kiriru , Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Gaba Campus, P.O BOX 908-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Gaba Campus, P.O BOX 908-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Esther Chepsiror , Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Gaba Campus, P.O BOX 908-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Gaba Campus, P.O BOX 908-30100, Eldoret, Kenya