Exploring Stress Perceptions and Coping Mechanisms among Health Workers in Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Stress, Intervention, Prevention, Health workers, Violence, SaudiAbstract
Introduction:
The coping mechanisms employed by these professionals are diverse, ranging from seeking social support to engaging in personal hobbies, yet approximately 50% report not having adequate resources or strategies to manage stress effectively. This systematic review aimed to explore the perceptions of stress and the coping mechanisms among health workers in Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
To conduct this systematic review, a comprehensive literature search was executed with the aim of identifying interventional studies that explore stress perceptions and coping mechanisms among health workers in Saudi Arabia over the last 20 years. Inclusion criteria were strictly defined to ensure the relevance and quality of the selected studies. Only interventional studies that directly addressed stress perceptions, coping strategies, or both among health workers in Saudi Arabia were considered. Discrepancies between reviewers were resolved through discussion or, if necessary, consultation with a third reviewer.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the systematic review which revealed that interventions, including cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, educational workshops, and physical activity programs, have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing stress levels among health workers in Saudi Arabia. Notably, cognitive-behavioral approaches showed up to a 40% reduction in stress levels, mindfulness techniques resulted in a 35% decrease, educational workshops varied in effectiveness but generally led to a 15-25% reduction, and physical activity interventions showed a 20% decrease in stress indicators.
Conclusions:
The findings underscore the potential of multifaceted and tailored interventions in addressing the stress experienced by healthcare professionals. Implementing these evidence-based strategies can significantly contribute to enhancing the well-being of health workers, thereby improving the overall quality of healthcare delivery.
