INFLUENCE OF TRAUMA SEVERITY ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF WOMEN SURVIVORS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF NAIROBI AND KISUMU, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The study examined how trauma severity affects the psychological well-being of women survivors of political violence in informal settlements in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya.
Statement of the Problem: Women living in structurally vulnerable informal settlements continue to experience lasting psychological effects of political violence, yet limited attention has been given to how the severity of trauma shapes their broader well-being and daily functioning.
Methods: The study adopted a convergent mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 200 respondents using standardized trauma and well-being scales, while qualitative data provided contextual insights into survivors’ lived experiences.
Findings: The findings revealed high trauma intensity, including intrusive recollections, emotional distress, hyperarousal, and avoidance behaviors. Increased trauma severity was associated with reduced autonomy, weakened social functioning, poor emotional regulation, and diminished sense of purpose.
Conclusion: Trauma severity is a major determinant of psychological well-being among women survivors of political violence, affecting not only mental health symptoms and life functioning.
Recommendation: The study recommends integrated, community-based, trauma-informed interventions that address both psychological recovery and the structural conditions affecting women in conflict-affected informal settlements.
Keywords: Trauma Severity, Psychological Well-Being, Political Violence, Women Survivors, Informal Settlements, Kenya
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