Autonomy Needs Satisfaction and Vulnerability to Depression among Healthcare Workers in Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhss.3320Keywords:
Healthcare, Depression, Autonomy, Trauma, VulnerabilityAbstract
Purpose: Regular pressures and inevitable exposure to traumatic events have adversely contributed to psychological dysfunction leading to employee depression; with health care workers being particularly at risk. When doing their regular tasks, healthcare workers are subject to a variety of dangers. This is so that they can manage patients with a variety of health issues, including those brought on by trauma, accidents etc.
Methodology: This study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods design, which enabled the researcher to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously, and then merge the results to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. The study employed proportionate stratified random sampling because the population consisted of a clearly defined group of healthcare workers within a single hospital. To acquire data, the researcher applied for research authorization through letters of approval from Mount Kenya University. Quantitative information from the survey was loaded into the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) computer program Version 27. Autonomy needs satisfaction and vulnerability to depression among healthcare workers is a pertinent area of study, particularly given the challenging work environment faced by this population with hospital work environments.
Findings: The results indicated shows that among participants who indicated that they had issues with self-organization, no one reported normal ups and downs, 4 (26.7%) reported having mild mood disturbance, 4 (26.7%) reported having borderline clinical depression, 7 (46.7%) and none reported having severe depression. Utilizing Pearson correlation coefficients, the study found a very weak positive correlation (r = 0.066, p = 0.431) between autonomy needs satisfaction and levels of depression.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This indicates that, contrary to expectations, higher autonomy needs satisfaction did not significantly correspond to lower levels of depression among the participants. Factors contributing to these mental health issues were identified as including sleep disturbances, weight loss, worries about personal health, and feelings of hopelessness.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Joseph Mullingah Maingi, Dr. Mokua Gilbert Maroko, Dr. Jane Gathoni Nyutu
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