DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND A MOTHER’S MENTAL HEALTH: A CASE OF PROFESSIONAL WORKING MOTHERS IN SAFARICOM LIMITED, NAIROBI, KENYA by Catherine Kiromo A thesis presented to the School of Human and Social Sciences of Daystar University Nairobi, Kenya In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Counselling Psychology October 2020 LIBRARY ARCHIVES COPY DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY APPROVAL EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND A MOTHER’S MENTAL HEALTH: A CASE OF WORKING MOTHERS IN SAFARICOM LIMITED, NAIROBI, KENYA by Catherine Kiromo 16-1896 In accordance with Daystar University policies, this thesis is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the Master of Arts degree. Date: _____________________________ ___________________ Jared Menecha, PhD, 1st Supervisor _____________________________ ____________________ Stephen Ndegwa, PhD, 2nd Supervisor _____________________________ ____________________ Susan Muriungi, PhD, HOD, Psychology and Counselling _____________________________ ____________________ Kennedy Ongaro, PhD, Dean, School of Human and Social Science ii LIBRARY ARCHIVES COPY DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY Copyright © 2020 Catherine Kiromo iii LIBRARY ARCHIVES COPY DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY DECLARATION EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND A MOTHER’S MENTAL HEALTH: A CASE OF WORKING MOTHERS IN SAFARICOM LIMITED, NAIROBI, KENYA I declare that this thesis is my original work and has not been submitted to any other college or university for academic credit Signed: _________________________ Date: _____________________ Catherine Kiromo 16-1896 LIBRARY ARCHIVES COPY DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I give thanks to the Almighty God for His love, care, and good health that He has granted me throughout my life, especially during this thesis journey. Secondly, I would like to appreciate Daystar University for giving me a chance to pursue a master's program in the institution. Thirdly, I acknowledge contributions of all scholars who enriched this research through their professional advice. I am also indebted to my supervisors, Dr. Jared Menecha and Dr. Stephen Ndegwa, for their valuable support, dedication, and guidance towards the completion of this thesis. Special thanks to the Safaricom Ltd management for the support accorded to me as I pursued this study. This went a long way in making this study possible; I had access to information necessary to complete the study. I also appreciate all the participants in the study, for they took their time to participate. Indeed, without their input, the study would not have achieved its objectives. v LIBRARY ARCHIVES COPY DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVAL .................................................................................................................. ii DECLARATION .......................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. v LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...................................................... x ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. xi DEDICATION ............................................................................................................. xii CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ..................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................... 3 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 6 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................. 7 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................. 8 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 8 Justification for the Study ......................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................... 9 Assumptions of the Study ....................................................................................... 10 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................. 11 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study ............................................................ 11 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 11 Summary ................................................................................................................. 12 CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................... 14 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................ 14 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 14 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................... 14 General Literature Review ...................................................................................... 19 Empirical Literature Review ................................................................................... 38 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................... 40 Summary ................................................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................................... 44 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY................................................................................. 44 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 44 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 44 Population ............................................................................................................... 45 Target Population .................................................................................................... 45 Sample Size ............................................................................................................. 45 Sampling Techniques .............................................................................................. 46 Data Collection Instruments .................................................................................... 47 Data Collection Procedures ..................................................................................... 48 Pretesting ................................................................................................................. 49 Data Analysis Plan .................................................................................................. 51 Ethical Considerations ............................................................................................ 52 Summary ................................................................................................................. 52 vi LIBRARY ARCHIVES COPY DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY REPOSITORY CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................ 53 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION ........................ 53 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 53 Analysis and Interpretation ..................................................................................... 53 Summary of Key Findings ...................................................................................... 72 Summary ................................................................................................................. 74 CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................... 75 DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................... 75 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 75 Discussions of Key Findings ................................................................................... 75 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 82 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 83 Recommendation