Assessment Of The Role Of Family Support On Mental Health Among Judicial Employees In Nairobi City County

Abstract

mental health is a significant global issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide, especially in Africa, where resources are limited and mental health services are inadequate. According to various sources, including the Ministry of Health of the Government of Kenya, the World Health Organization, and the Africa Mental Health Foundation, Kenya has a high prevalence of mental health issues. An estimated 25% of the Kenyan population is believed to have experienced mental health conditions at some point in their lives. This study focused on the role of family support in promoting positive mental health outcomes among judicial employees in Kenya, using the judicial employees in Nairobi City County as a sample population. The theory that was applied in the study is the Social Support Theory which was developed by Cobb in 1976. The aim of this study was to explore the nature and extent of family support among the judicial employees in Nairobi City County; and determine the relationship between family support and mental health. The study was guided by four objectives specifically, to identify the specific forms of family support available to judicial employees in Nairobi City County; to investigate the impact of family support on work-related stress among judicial employees in the Nairobi City County; to explore the barriers to access and utilizing family support among judicial employees in Nairobi City County; to develop strategies for improving the provision and utilization of family support for mental health patients among judicial employees in Nairobi City County. The research method applied is the mixed-methods approach. The research design for this study is both qualitative and quantitative, using cross-sectional data and a qualitative component investigated the relationship between family support and mental health in a large sample size of judicial employees in Nairobi City County. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of participants to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between family support and mental health, as well as potential moderating factors. Multistage sampling consisting of stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 282 judicial employees from a target population of 1030 Judiciary’s employees in Nairobi City County. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, while the qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study followed ethical guidelines including maintaining confidentiality in exploring how family support can enhance mental health in high-stress workplaces, potentially benefiting other occupations beyond the Judiciary. The conclusion for the study was that family support plays a significant role in mitigating work-related stress, thus influencing the overall mental health of judicial employees. These findings emphasize the need for organizations and policymakers to prioritize strategies that promote family support as a means to alleviate work-related stress and enhance the well-being of judicial employees. One of the recommendations of the study is that the policy makers in the Judiciary should prioritize the establishment and enhancement of mental health support services in the Judiciary. The Judiciary should also collaborate initiatives that promote family support as a key component of employee well-being.