Post-Trauma Interventions and Psychological Well-Being among Women Survivors of Political Violence in Urban Informal Settlements in Kenya
Abstract
This study examines the influence of post-trauma intervention strategies on the psychological well-being of women survivors of political violence in informal settlements in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya. While prior research has extensively documented trauma prevalence in post-election contexts, limited empirical evidence exists on the effectiveness of sustained post-trauma interventions in low-resource urban settings. This study addresses this gap by assessing whether structured interventions contribute to measurable improvements in psychological outcomes. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 200 women survivors with key informant interviews from ward administrators and community-based organization leaders. Quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant negative correlations between participation in structured interventions and psychological distress. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) demonstrated a moderate association with reduced PTSD symptoms (r = –0.42, p < .01) and anxiety (r = –0.37, p < .01), while group therapy showed similar but slightly weaker effects on PTSD (r = –0.39, p < .01) and anxiety (r = –0.33, p < .01). Chi-square results further indicated that demographic factors such as age (χ² = 16.32, p = 0.002), marital status (χ² = 9.47, p = 0.021), and employment status (χ² = 11.23, p = 0.008) significantly influenced both intervention participation and psychological well-being outcomes. Qualitative findings revealed that the effectiveness of these interventions is constrained by structural limitations, including limited access to trained counsellors, fragmented service delivery, stigma, and weak follow-up systems. Informal support mechanisms, particularly faith-based and community networks, were widely utilized but lacked structured therapeutic capacity for severe trauma cases. The study concludes that post-trauma interventions are associated with moderate but significant improvements in psychological well-being. Nonetheless, their impact remains partial and highly dependent on accessibility, continuity of care, and integration with culturally grounded support systems. Sustainable recovery therefore requires institutionalized, tiered, and context-responsive trauma care frameworks within informal settlement settings.
Keywords: Post-trauma interventions, psychological well-being, Political violence, Women survivors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Informal settlements, Kenya
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