Occupational stress coping strategies utilised by drugs and substance abuse rehabilitation counsellors in the selected counties in Kenya

Abstract

Coping with occupational stress has become an important area for research in the last three decades. Coping strategies play a critical role in an individual’s physical, behavioural and physiological wellbeing. Coping is thus a critical point of entry for protecting mental and physical health from the harmful effects of occupational stress. This paper explores the coping strategies utilised by drugs and substance abuse rehabilitation counsellors in selected counties in Kenya. The sample included 112 rehabilitation counsellors and 13 administrators working in five counties. The theoretical concept was drawn from Seyle’ GAS, Person-Environment Fit and Transactional theories of stress. Descriptive survey research design was used in the study. Occupational stress survey questionnaire and an interview schedule was used as instruments to assess the coping strategies to combat occupational stress. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percentages) were used to analyse the data. Results of the study revealed that Supervision, problemfocused, emotion-focused and social support were the most utilised coping strategies while escape avoidance was least utilised. The study further revealed that demographic and work characteristics influenced the way coping strategies were utilised.