PREVALENCE OF VICARIOUS TRAUMA AND COPING MECHANISMS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT MATHARI NATIONAL HOSPITAL, NAIROBI, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of Study: This study assessed the level of vicarious trauma and the coping mechanisms employed by healthcare workers at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital (MNTRH), Nairobi, Kenya.
Problem Statement: Despite growing evidence of psychological distress among Kenyan healthcare workers, limited research has specifically examined VT prevalence and coping strategies in specialized psychiatric referral facilities.
Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted. Using stratified random sampling and Cochran's formula, a sample size of 168 participants was selected from a population of 330 healthcare workers, of whom 121 completed the study, yielding a 72% response rate. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics while qualitative data were analysed thematically.
Result: Findings revealed that 51.2% of participants exhibited low VT, 44.6% moderate VT, and 4.1% high VT. Statistically significant trauma symptoms were recorded across all four dimensions: emotional and cognitive impact, changes in beliefs and worldview, physical and behavioural effects, and work-related stress (p < .001). Emotional and cognitive impact recorded the highest mean score (M = 12.85). Problem-focused strategies were most prevalent (56.2% high use), followed by moderate emotion-focused coping (58.7%). Maladaptive coping was rare, with 88.4% reporting low engagement. All coping dimensions showed statistically significant variability (p < .05).
Conclusion: Healthcare workers at MNTRH face significant psychological burden and there is need for structured trauma-informed interventions tailored for staff in the hospital, staff debriefing systems, and institutional mental health support to promote psychological wellbeing.
Keywords: Vicarious trauma, coping mechanisms, healthcare workers, psychiatric hospital, psychological wellbeing
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