Relationship between Secondary Traumatic Stress and Social Support among Healthcare Personnel in Private Hospitals in Juja Sub-County, Kiambu County Kenya

Abstract

Healthcare professionals frequently encounter emotionally demanding situations that can lead to secondary traumatic stress (STS), also known as compassion fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between STS and social support among healthcare personnel in private hospitals in Juja Sub-County, Kenya. Guided by two objectives, the research assessed the levels of STS and explored the correlation between STS and social support. The study was anchored in Figley’s Transactional Model of Stress and Cohen and Wills’ Social Support Theory. A correlational survey design was employed, utilizing the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for data collection from a sample of 72 healthcare personnel through a census method approach. The findings indicated that the mean STS score was 36.81, with a standard deviation of 12.202, suggesting a moderate level of STS among the participants. However, Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed a very weak negative correlation between STS and SS (r = -0.130, p = 0.276)). Despite limitations, including restricted participation from private hospitals and potential underrepresentation of the sample, this study represents a pioneering effort in Kenya, specifically in Juja, to explore the intersection of STS and social support among healthcare workers in private hospitals. The findings contribute to the understanding of STS within this population and highlight the need for tailored interventions that address the unique challenges faced by healthcare personnel in private hospitals.