GENDER DIFFERENCES ON THE LEVEL OF RESILIENCE AMONG COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT INTERNS IN SELECTED MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Counselling psychology student interns working in mental health settings often encounter emotionally intense cases that may lead to vicarious traumatisation. At the same time, resilience plays a crucial role in mitigating the psychological impact of such experiences. This study investigates resilience among psychology student interns in selected mental hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya. Two objectives guided it: (i) to determine the gender differences in the levels of resilience among counselling psychology student interns in selected mental health hospitals in Nairobi City County and (ii) to assess strategies for enhancing resilience against vicarious traumatisation among counselling psychology student interns in selected mental health hospitals in Nairobi City County. An embedded mixed-methods research design was employed to examine the phenomenon under study. The target population for this research consisted of counselling psychology student interns undertaking diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate studies who had initiated their field practicums in public mental hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya. The researchers employed purposive and stratified sampling techniques to sample the study participants/respondents. A sample size of 178 participants/respondents was determined using the Yamane 1967 formula. Data was generated through questionnaires and interviews. Both descriptive (mean, mode, median, range, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (T-test) were used to analyse the data. The data was presented as tables, pie charts, and bar graphs. Conversely, qualitative data were thematically analysed and presented in themes and descriptive narratives. The study findings indicated that there were no substantial gender disparities in resilience levels among male and female counselling psychology student interns. Moreover, major themes such as social support, personality therapy, supervision, and mindfulness were primary ways psychology student interns used to strengthen and maintain their resilience. They were able to deal with trauma-related effects in healthy ways. Their capabilities to withstand the effects of vicarious trauma did not depend on gender. The findings inform recommendations to the hospital administrations, training institutions, and the Ministry of Health for training and support programs designed to enhance resilience and mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader goal of ensuring the health and well-being of healthcare workers.