International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VII, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6194
Lawrence Terlumun Awua1*, Everlyn Oluoch-Suleh2, and Elizabeth Ngozi Okpalaenwe1
1Department of Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Foundation, Marist International University College, Nairobi, Kenya.
2United States International University – Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Corresponding author
Abstract: This research paper assessed the coping strategies employed by the members of the Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Adams, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was supported with logotherapy theory of Viktor Frankl. The main objective of this study was to identify the strategies that are used in coping with Covid-19 among the members of the Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Adams, Nairobi County. The study adopted embedded mixed method design. The target population was 1075 members of this parish. The sample size was 292 got through simple random sampling method techniques. The data collection was done through open and closed ended questionnaire and semi structured interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed by employing descriptive statistics analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Qualitative data was analyzed effectively in a narrative form using objective themes. The findings of this work, with the data collected from February 6-27, 2022, revealed that Covid-19 had both negative and positive influences on this community. Thus, the members of the Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Adams, Nairobi County, Kenya used different strategies to survive the Covid-19 attack.
Key words: Psycho-spiritual wellbeing, mental wellbeing, ‘psycho-spirituo-somatic,’ and biopsychosociotechno.
I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Since the reality of corona virus disease was established, its coping strategies became as urgently inevitable as the rate of its spread was considered. Covid-19, a name later given to the disease by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV, 2020) (Shereen et al., 2020) became monstrous both by name, by appearance, and by action. Its overwhelming effects cut across all occupations. Various studies (Bureau, 2020; Feyisa, 2020; Tadesse & Muluye, 2020; Douglas, M., Katikireddi et al., 2020; Wildman et al, 2020) have shown that the world economy, education sector, health sector, social interaction, religious activities, and so on have been dangerously injured. Before delving into the coping strategies employed by the religious community of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, it is expedient to take a cursory look at the historical realities of pandemics in the past.
The effects of this pandemic also include the infection of multiple people with the disease followed by a huge number of casualties. Recent statics released by