Assessment of Factors Influencing Vicarious Trauma and Coping Strategies among Healthcare Workers at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Healthcare workers in high-acuity mental health settings face elevated risks of vicarious trauma (VT) due to repeated exposure to patients’ distressing experiences. This study examined the level, coping strategies, and determinants of vicarious trauma among healthcare workers at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital (MNTRH), Kenya’s primary psychiatric facility. Guided by Compassion Fatigue Theory, Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory, and Constructivist Self-Development Theory, the study used a quantitative cross-sectional design involving 121 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Vicarious Trauma Questionnaire (VTQ) and analyzed using descriptive and correlational statistics in SPSS version 25. Results showed that most healthcare workers experienced low to moderate levels of vicarious trauma, with emotional and cognitive impacts being the most pronounced. Adaptive coping strategies, particularly problem-focused and emotion-focused approaches, were most common, while maladaptive coping was rare. Hospital-related factors had a significant negative correlation with vicarious trauma (r = –.396, p < .001), indicating that supportive institutional environments reduced trauma levels. In contrast, healthcare worker–related factors such as experience and training showed a weaker positive relationship. The study concludes that vicarious trauma among healthcare workers at MNTRH is prevalent but largely mitigated by adaptive coping and supportive workplace conditions. It recommends implementing trauma-informed policies, continuous mental health training, and psychosocial support programs to enhance resilience among staff. Further research should explore long-term patterns of VT and evaluate targeted interventions in similar high-stress healthcare contexts.