Impact on mental health and perceptions of psychological care among medical and nursing staff

Abstract

Moamen Abdelfadil Ismail*, Abdullah Ahmed A Alyahya, Abdullah Mohammed Atallah Alturkistani, Basel Mustafa Alkishi, Lojain Khalid Burejailah, Alharbi Rayan Ahmed, Rsal Rabea Alrefaei, Faisal Abdallah Ibrahim Alhejji, Norah Turki Aljuaid and Fuad Abdullah Abdulrahman Almalki

Background: Healthcare professionals frequently face high levels of occupational stress, which can negatively impact their mental well-being. Despite growing recognition of the importance of mental health support for medical and nursing staff, access to psychological care services remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the mental health status of healthcare workers, identify the factors associated with psychological distress, and assess perceptions regarding the availability and effectiveness of psychological care.

Methods: This study was conducted among 500 healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The survey assessed depression, anxiety, insomnia, and psychological distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The study also examined workplace stressors, utilization of mental health services, and perceived health status. Statistical analyses, including cluster analysis and structural equation modeling, were performed to determine relationships between psychological distress, workplace stressors, and access to mental health resources.

Results: A significant proportion of participants reported experiencing mental health disturbances, with 22.3% showing moderate to severe depression, 24.6% experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, and 21.1% suffering from moderate to severe insomnia. Furthermore, 19.8% exhibited severe psychological distress. Despite these findings, only 12.7% of participants had accessed counselling or psychotherapy, while 52.5% had not sought any mental health support. Engagement with psychological resources, such as printed materials and online mental health platforms, was more common among individuals with mild to moderate distress. Structural equation modelling confirmed that higher exposure to occupational stressors was associated with poorer mental health outcomes and lower self-perceived health status.

Conclusion: The study highlights significant mental health challenges among healthcare professionals, with a substantial portion experiencing psychological distress but lacking adequate support. The findings emphasize the need for expanded access to psychological care, including structured interventions such as therapist-led counseling, peer support networks, and media-based educational resources. Strengthening mental health services for medical and nursing staff is essential to improving their well-being and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare systems in highstress environments. Future research should explore longitudinal trends and intervention strategies to address these pressing mental health concerns.