Exploring the intervention strategies for maladaptive behaviour among youths living in poverty in Zimbabwe: A case of Chipadze, Ward 5, Bindura. · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Karambakuwa, Judith

Title

Exploring the intervention strategies for maladaptive behaviour among youths living in poverty in Zimbabwe: A case of Chipadze, Ward 5, Bindura.

Abstract

The study investigated the intervention strategies for maladaptive behaviours among impoverished youths in Chipadze, Bindura, Zimbabwe. The study will provide valuable insights on how poverty impacted on maladaptive behaviours among youths and come up with context-specific interventions .Three objectives centred on specific maladaptive behaviours prevalent among youths experiencing poverty, challenges impoverished by youth affected by poverty and maladaptive behaviours and propose to context-specific interventions strategies to address maladaptive behaviours among youths living in poverty. Also, the study adopted the qualitative methodologies anchored on a case study as a research design of the study. The study used in-depth interviews as method of collecting data. The study utilized the purposive sampling and snow ball sampling. The study engaged interview assessments with community stakeholders, social workers and youths experiencing poverty and maladaptive. The research examines how severe economic hardship drives young people toward high-risk survival activities like illegal mining and transactional sex. Findings reveal that poverty creates profound mental health challenges with many youths turning to substance abuse as coping mechanisms while facing stigma and cultural barriers to support. Systemic issues such as corruption in social programs, limited access to vocational training, and fragmented community services further hinder progress. Participants proposed locally grounded solutions including practical skills training relevant to local opportunities and peer-led counselling initiatives. The study concludes that effective interventions require integrated approaches combining economic empowerment, accessible mental health support, and community driven anti-corruption measures, all centred on youth participation and context specific strategies to address the roots of maladaptive behaviour in marginalized urban settings.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Poverty

Maladaptive Behaviour

Chipadze Ward 5

Supervisor

Mrs. Chigondo