Effectiveness of Cognitive Restructuring Techniques on Mental Health Resilience among Public Service Vehicle Drivers in Nairobi County

Abstract

The worrying trend in the increased cases of mental health globally underscores the growing need for interventions that foster mental health resilience, particularly in occupational groups that experience high levels of stress and job-related challenges. The study assessed the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring on mental health and resilience. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring techniques on mental health resilience among public service vehicle drivers in Nairobi County. The theoretical framework guiding this study included the cognitive model theory and resilience theory. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was employed, 74 drivers were purposively sampled while assessment tools were the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (. The drivers were randomly assigned to a control group (n=38) and experimental group (n=36). The experimental group underwent an intervention but no intervention was given to the control group. The cognitive restructuring intervention spanned 10 weeks, with assessments conducted at the 5-week and 10- week. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare pre- and post-intervention resilience scores. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used at both pre-test and post-test stages. The results of the paired t-tests were displayed in tables and charts. Cognitive restructuring interventions led to substantial improvements in the experimental group, with depression scores dropping from 25.41 to 8.71, anxiety from 21.18 to 9.29, and stress from 24.29 to 11.82, alongside increased resilience (64.74 to 78.42) and coping scores (2.10 to 5.87). Significant interaction effects across all outcomes (F > 49.76, p < .001) confirmed the intervention’s effectiveness inenhancing psychological well-being among PSV drivers. The findings indicate that cognitive restructuring proved to be an effective intervention for enhancing mental health resilience and coping strategies among PSV drivers. The study recommends that cognitive restructuring programs should be integrated into existing workplace wellness initiatives or established through partnerships with mental health organizations. By ensuring that PSV drivers have access to regular, ongoing psychological support, they can benefit from sustained mental health interventions, which will significantly improve their well-being and coping abilities. It is also recommended that further research be conducted to explore long-term effects and the feasibility of implementing such interventions on a larger scale within the industry.