Assessment of Effects of Burnout on The Psychological Wellbeing of Nurses: A Case of MP Shah Hospital Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Burnout among healthcare professionals presents a significant barrier to both psychological well-being and the quality of healthcare delivery. While the phenomenon has been widely studied in public institutions, limited empirical attention has been given to nurses in Kenya’s private hospital settings. This study sought to examine the prevalence and dimensions of burnout namely emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment among nurses at MPshah hospitals in Nairobi County, and to assess its relationship with psychological well-being. Guided by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) framework, cognitive Appraisal Theory, stress and coping theory of Lazarus Folkman, employing a pragmatic, cross-sectional design, the study targeted 350 registered nurses aged between 23 and 60 years. Participants were purposively selected from MP Shah Hospital using stratified random sampling to ensure departmental representation. Data were collected using validated tools, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), alongside a demographic and occupational characteristics questionnaire. Ethical clearance was obtained from DU-ISERC and NACOSTI, and informed consent was secured from all participants. A pretest involving 35 nurses was conducted to refine the tools prior to the main data collection. Descriptive statistics revealed a high prevalence of burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion, with younger and less experienced nurses being disproportionately affected. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation analyses demonstrated statistically significant positive relationships between emotional exhaustion and psychological distress indicators. Furthermore, regression analysis identified emotional exhaustion as a strong predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress among nurses, while also highlighting extended shifts and lack of workplace support as key contributing factors. The study concludes that burnout is prevalent and significantly impairs the mental health of nurses in private healthcare settings. These findings underscore the need for evidence-based institutional reforms and targeted interventions, such as establishing psychosocial support programs, regulating work schedules, and strengthening mental health awareness. The study offers practical recommendations for hospital administrators and policy makers aimed at enhancing nurse well-being and promoting sustainable, high-quality healthcare delivery in Kenya’s evolving private health sector.