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 of the Study: The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of immediate trauma intervention strategies on the psychological well-being of women survivors of political violence.
Statement of the Problem: Political violence continues to cause serious psychological harm among women living in informal settlements. These effects are worsened by poverty, displacement, insecurity, and weak institutional support systems. Although immediate trauma interventions are often provided after violent events, limited evidence exists on how these interventions influence the psychological well-being of women survivors in informal settlement contexts.
Methodology: The study was guided by Crisis Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Restructuring Theory, and adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design involving questionnaires from 200 women survivors and key informant interviews, with data analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square analysis, and thematic analysis.
Findings: The findings showed that immediate trauma interventions, including Psychological First Aid, crisis counselling, community-based support, and emergency assistance, contributed to reduced anxiety, depressive moods, and emotional numbness among survivors. The Chi-square results, χ² = 61.69, p < 0.05, indicated a statistically significant relationship between immediate trauma interventions and psychological well-being.
Conclusion: The study concludes that immediate trauma interventions are important in stabilising women survivors of political violence during acute crisis periods.
Recommendation: The study recommends the establishment of structured, professional, and long-term psychosocial support frameworks within informal settlements.
Keywords: Immediate Trauma Interventions, Psychological First Aid, Political Violence, Women Survivors, Psychological Well-Being, Informal Settlements, Kenya.
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