Effectiveness of Cognitive Restructuring in Promoting Mental Health among Public Service Vehicle Drivers in Nairobi County, Kenya: A Case Study of Embassava Sacco

Abstract

Public service vehicle (PSV) drivers in urban areas, particularly in Nairobi, Kenya, experience significant mental health disorders due to high levels of occupational stress. This study examined the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring techniques in promoting mental health among Embassava Sacco PSV drivers in Nairobi County. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among PSV drivers, to determine the levels of resilience among PSV drivers, to assess the relationship between socio-demographic factors and mental health disorders and to establish the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring techniques in promoting mental health among Embassava Sacco public service vehicle drivers. This study is grounded in three core theories: the Cognitive Model, the Stress-Diathesis Model, and Resilience Theory, which provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the intervention, key variables, and outcomes related to cognitive restructuring techniques and mental health among public service vehicle (PSV) drivers. A mixed-methods and quasi-experimental design was employed. The research tools included the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The study population was 3,869 licensed 14-seater public service drivers in Nairobi County. The target population was 265 drivers from Embasava SACCO. The sample size of 78 drivers was calculated using the Casagrande Sample size formula. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 29.0 for quantitative data, while NVivo version 14 was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. The findings revealed that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among PSV drivers was high, with 86.8% reporting symptoms of depression, 90.2% experiencing anxiety, and 69.4% reporting stress. The intervention group showed significant improvements in mental health, with depression scores decreasing from a baseline mean of 25.41 to 8.71, anxiety decreasing from 21.18 to 9.29, and stress dropping from 24.29 to 11.82. In comparison, the control group showed no improvement and continued to experience worsening mental health outcomes. Qualitative data highlighted that cognitive restructuring helped participants better understand the relationship between their thoughts and emotions, leading to greater emotional regulation, and better stress management. The study recommends that policy interventions should be developed to address the systemic stressors faced by PSV drivers to promote sustained improvements in their mental health and overall well-being.