Effect of Counselling interventions on Psychological Wellbeing of Caregivers at Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Author: Gichimu Charles Theuri , Prof. Jennifer Munyua (PhD) , Dr. Rose Atoni (PhD)

Date: 2025

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of counselling interventions on psychological wellbeing of cancer caregivers in Msambweni County Referral hospital in Kwale County, Kenya. This was in the light of concern that the care of people with cancer has been shifted from inpatients in hospitals to homecare where caregivers are not medical professionals. The study was grounded on Rational Emotive behavioural theory Ex-Post Facto research design was used. The target population was 501 caregivers registered at Msambweni County Referral Hospital. Systematic sampling design was used to select a sample of 150 respondents. A standardized structured questionnaire and diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) were used as data collection instruments for cancer patients’ caregivers in Msambweni Sub County Hospital. Data collected was analyzed in both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics was analyzed in form of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Analysis of Variance was employed to test the hypotheses. The study established that counselling interventions (F=14.210; p=0.000) were statistically significant to the psychological wellbeing of caregivers. The study concluded that counselling interventions had an effect on psychological wellbeing of the caregivers in Msambweni County Referral Hospital in Kwale County. The study recommended that the public hospitals in Kenya should introduce counseling programs for caregivers to help alleviate the psychological distress among the caregivers.

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