Self-efficacy Among Spontaneous Recovered Alcoholics: a Case of Mathare North in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC, 2016) report reveals alcohol abuse has been on escalation globally, thus distressing economies of states and societies at an estimate of 0.5 to 1.3% of GDP-Gross Domestic Product. In Kenya, the capital city Nairobi has the highest rate of alcohol consumption and abuse at 18.4%, posing need to find mitigation measures that will help curtail the problem. The study was geared towards investigating the levels of self-efficacy in spontaneous recovery among alcoholics within Nairobi County. The viability of the research was tested by a pilot study in Kibera Slum in Nairobi County, owing to the study conducted by NACADA in 2007, which attributed alcoholism to low income areas. This formed the basis for recommendation for measures to curb and cure alcohol abuse. The study aims to investigate and determine the level of self-efficacy among spontaneous-recovered alcoholics and is informed by Social Learning Theory. Data collection took place at Mathare North in Nairobi County. This study embraced a descriptive research survey design and targeted alcoholics who recovered and relapsed. Using snowballing, the researcher began with a small number of respondents, who were available at the initial stage. Consequently, the researcher asked these respondents to recommend other persons willing to participate and who met the requirements of the research. This process was applied until the sample of 83 respondents was arrived at. The study was guided by Social Learning Theory by Bandura. Interviewing was the main method of data collection while main tools for data collection in the interview included CAGE hierarchy of assessment tool and Bandura’s self-efficacy scale. The responses from the interviews were reported by descriptive narrative arising from content analysis. From the findings and conclusions of the research, key areas that have been identified as influencing spontaneous recovery among recovered alcoholics in Nairobi County included: financial burdens on the respondents and their families, fatal and near death situations in addition to health problems occasioned by alcohol consumption. The study therefore recommended that the respondents should apply cognitive appraisal coping mechanism through using techniques and procedures such as: finding distraction like physical exercise and listening to music to overcome alcohol consuming thoughts, talking to therapist, as well as reaching out to friends for comfort and support.