Assessment of Stress, Depression and Anxiety Among Pastors in African Inland Church, Kitui Area Church Council, Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Stress is a common human experience. However, chronic stress can lead to devastating physical, psychological and behavioral consequences. Research has indicated that some professions are more prone to stress than others. Pastoral work is one of those professions and it is characterized by diverse stressors which make pastors prone to depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to assess for the presence and prevalence of stress, depression and anxiety among pastors in the African Inland Church, Kitui Area Church Council. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine the prevalence of the three conditions, to investigate their determinants, to establish pastor’s coping strategies, and to explore the support systems at the church organizational level in helping pastors cope with the conditions. The study was guided by the transactional model of stress and coping and the job demands-resources theories. Descriptive research design was employed. The target population was 551 pastors from nine Regional Church Councils making Kitui Area Church Council. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling were used to sample 111 respondents for the study. Quantitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and qualitative data through focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS Version 26 and presented in tables while qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo version 12. The study established the prevalence rate of moderate to extremely severe stress, depression, and anxiety at 68%, 56% and 60% respectively. A comorbidity rate of 30% of moderate to extremely severe stress, depression and anxiety was established. Financial challenges, workload, conflicts with church elders, role confusion and discrimination against female pastors were identified as the main stressors encountered by pastors. In terms of coping mechanisms, a mixture of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were identified to be utilized by the pastors in the Area Church Council. The organizational structures identified were financial help in terms of special giving, annual leaves as well as the building of residential houses for pastors in the church compounds. The study findings underpin the researcher’s recommendation for the development and implementation of comprehensive stress management strategies for pastors, integrating mental health training in the curriculum for pastors and sensitization of the congregation and the society at large on mental health issues affecting pastors. In addition, the researcher identified exploring of challenges faced by female pastors in African Inland Church as well as exploring the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy as areas recommended for further study.