Assessing the Effectiveness of Mental Health Coping Strategies at Household Level: A Case Study of Kalingalinga Households

The study explores the effectiveness of mental health coping strategies among households in Kalingalinga, a peri-urban settlement in Lusaka, Zambia, where mental health disorders pose a critical public health challenge. Background factors, including poverty, stigma, and limited access to mental health resources, significantly affect how families manage these issues. In this context, understanding effective coping strategies can help design culturally relevant and sustainable mental health interventions.

A cross-sectional research design was adopted, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample size comprised 368 households selected using stratified random sampling. Structured interviews and focus group discussions were used for data collection, while data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics, focusing on prevalence, coping mechanisms, and barriers to effective mental health management. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent and participant confidentiality, were upheld throughout the research. Results indicate that depression was the most common mental health disorder, affecting 18.4% of women and 12.9% of men within households. Social support networks emerged as a significant coping mechanism, with 68% of households relying on extended family members for emotional and instrumental support. Religious practices were also a predominant coping strategy, engaged in by 57% of respondents. Despite the prevalence of support systems, 73% of households reported facing substantial barriers, including financial constraints and the stigma associated with mental health disorders. Additionally, only 25% of households had access to professional mental health services. The study concludes that while community-based coping strategies play a vital role in mental health management, socio-economic barriers and limited healthcare access hinder their overall effectiveness. Traditional coping mechanisms such as prayer and family support, though beneficial, cannot replace the need for professional mental health services. Addressing these gaps is crucial for enhancing the community’s mental health outcomes. The research recommends increasing public awareness to reduce stigma, improving access to professional mental health services through government and NGO partnerships, and developing community-based programs that integrate traditional and professional support systems. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term impact of these strategies on household mental health and to evaluate interventions that promote resilience in resource-constrained environment.