INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND COPING STRATEGIES ON MENTAL HEALTH, AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN ONDO STATE

In recent times, several researchers have sought to understand the extent to which coping strategy and social support could influence the mental health with major foeus on university students. hospital patients, geriatries and children. Yet, it is saddened that much attention has not been given towards health workers whose jobs are physically and mentally demanding, especially those working in Nigeria healthcare system. Hence, this study examined the influence of social support and coping strategies on mental health among health workers in Ondo State. The study adopted cross sectional survey method. Using purposive and accidental sampling techniques, health workers (male=131 and female 154) were sampled from three public hospitals in Ondo State. The sample aged between 22-61 years (Mean =44.79; SD =9.24). The participants responded to measures on social support (a=92), coping strategies (a=,76) and mental health (a=,89). Three hypotheses were formulated and tested with Multiple Regression Analysis. The result showed that social support significantly predicted mental health among health workers [r(2,288) B = ,65. p< .05]. Likewise. coping strategies significantly predicted mental health among health workers [/(2,288) B= 31. p< 05). Similarly, the joint prediction of social support and coping strategies on mental health was significant [F (2,288) = 806.70, p< 01]. Based on these findings, the study concluded that social supports, coping strategies independently and jointly contributed to mental health among health workers in Ondo State. The study therefore recommends health policy makers and government should design appropriate supportive programmes that will assist in improving the mental health of health workers most especially in the public hospitals.