An Examination of Effect of Substance Use on Employee Performance: Implication For Counseling Interventions in Selected State Corporations Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The menace of substance use is a very widespread problem in society today. Substance use by employees pose a major risk for the employees as well as the employers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of substance use on employee performance in state corporations of Nairobi, Kenya. The study’s objectives were to assess the substance use by employees, to evaluate the risk factors associated with employee substance use in state corporations in Nairobi, to examine the influence of substance use on employee performance in the state corporations in Nairobi and to establish the interventions adopted in addressing substance use among employees in the state corporations in Nairobi. The theories that guided this study are Cultural-Identity Theory and Social Learning Theory. The study adopted a mixed-method research design. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide. The results from instrument pretest indicated that Cronbach alpha was above 0.7 and thus the statement was considered reliable. Subject matter experts assessed the content validity of the instruments to ensure their accuracy and relevance. The self-administered questionnaire was administered to employees while the in-depth interview was conducted with key informants who were human resource managers. The target population was 1,000 employees from the service state corporations. A sample of 285 respondents was used. Data analysis was aided by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thematic Analysis was used for in-depth interviews. The findings for objective one indicated that tobacco and alcohol had a risk score of 17 and 19, respectively, while cannabis scored low at 3. Other substances fell within the low-risk range. The findings for objective two indicated mean scores ranged from 3.66 to 3.86, indicating factors like early initiation, family history, availability, financial means, childhood trauma, and job stress were identified as contributors to substance use. The findings for objective three had an average score of 3.77 across all statements indicating general agreement on risk factors' impact. Early exposure, family history, availability, financial means, childhood trauma, and job stress were found to influence substance use. Lastly, the findings for objective four indicated the mean scores for counseling interventions ranged from 2.87 to 3.03, with varied perceptions. Awareness of rehabilitation programs and support groups was moderate, suggesting potential areas for improvement. The study concludes that substance use is prevalent among employees in Nairobi County's state corporations, necessitating targeted interventions to mitigate adverse effects on performance. The study recommends prioritizing comprehensive substance use prevention and intervention programs, including clear workplace policies and education initiatives, alongside offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for support. Addressing underlying factors contributing to substance use, reducing workrelated stress, and fostering a positive work culture are suggested to promote employee well-being.