Coping Mechanisms and Their Efficacy in Managing Pre-Retirement Anxiety among Prison Wardens: Insights from GK Eldoret Main Prison, Kenya

Pre-retirement anxiety is a critical issue among high-stress professions, including prison wardens, who face unique occupational challenges. This study explores the coping mechanisms employed by prison wardens at GK Eldoret Main Prison to manage pre-retirement anxiety and evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through the Brief COPE tool and in-depth interviews. Quantitative findings indicated that while 60% of wardens reported using positive coping mechanisms such as planning and seeking support, 40% resorted to maladaptive strategies like denial and substance use. Religion (45%), planning (39%), and positive reframing (35%) emerged as the most frequently used positive coping strategies. However, maladaptive strategies, including substance use (16%) and denial (13%), correlated with heightened anxiety levels. The qualitative insights complemented these results, revealing that factors such as organizational support, financial preparedness, and personal beliefs significantly influenced the choice and efficacy of coping mechanisms. Integrating the findings with Rational-Emotive Behavior Theory (REBT) underscored how irrational beliefs contributed to emotional disturbances, while adaptive coping strategies aligned with rational beliefs promoted emotional resilience. This study highlights the complex interplay between coping strategies and pre-retirement anxiety, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions that address both practical and psychological support for prison wardens. Recommendations for mental health practitioners and prison administrators include the development of structured counseling programs focused on adaptive coping and stress management training. The findings contribute to the existing literature on pre-retirement anxiety and coping, providing a foundation for future research in similar high-stress environments.