Influence of Nurse–Colleague Relationships on the Mental Wellness of Nurses in Embu and Tharaka-Nithi Counties, Kenya

Relationships among colleagues shape the psychological well-being of nurses, yet evidence from Kenyan county hospitals is limited. This study examined the influence of nurse–colleague relationships on the mental wellness of nurses in Embu and Tharaka-Nithi Counties, Kenya. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional design was used, guided by the Therapeutic Engagement Stress Theory. The target population comprised 380 nurses and 50 doctors at Embu Level 5 Hospital and Chuka County Referral Hospital. A sample of 253 nurses, determined using the Yamane formula, was invited to complete self-administered questionnaires based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire; 245 nurses (96.8%) responded. Ten doctors were purposively selected for interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS version 27.0 using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and simple linear regression; interview data were analyzed thematically using a deductive approach. Nurses generally reported positive relationships with colleagues, but substantial minorities reported unequal duty sharing, limited autonomy in multidisciplinary teams, and fatigue. Psychological distress was high: 75.9% of nurses scored in the probable-PTSD range, and 64.1%, 66.5%, and 71.8% reported severe or extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Nurse–colleague relationship significantly predicted mental wellness (β = 0.437, p < .001) and accounted for 19.1% of its variance. Doctors’ accounts emphasized teamwork, shared workload, and poorly managed shift work. The study concludes that nurse–colleague relationships are a significant predictor of nurses’ mental wellness. Hospitals should adopt policies that promote equitable duty sharing, effective shift management, teamwork, and conflict management.