INFLUENCE OF IMMEDIATE TRAUMA INTERVENTION STRATEGIES ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF WOMEN SURVIVORS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN NAIROBI AND KISUMU INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the influence of immediate trauma intervention strategies on the psychological well-being of women survivors of political violence in selected informal settlements.
Methodology: Guided by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Restructuring Theory, the study used a convergent mixed-methods design, collecting quantitative data from 200 women survivors via structured questionnaires and qualitative data through key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests.
Findings: The results indicate that access to immediate trauma interventions such as Psychological First Aid (PFA), community-based counselling, crisis support, and safe relocation was associated with measurable reductions in anxiety (45%), depressive symptoms (50%), and emotional numbness (42%). The Chi-square test (χ² = 61.69, p < 0.05) confirmed a statistically significant relationship.
Conclusion: Immediate trauma intervention strategies significantly improve short-term psychological well-being among women survivors of political violence.
Recommendation: The study recommends the institutionalization of tiered trauma response frameworks within informal settlements, incorporating early trauma screening, trained rapid response teams.
Keywords: Immediate trauma interventions, Psychological First Aid, political violence, women survivors, psychological well-being, informal settlements, Kenya
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