The Effect of Sleep Quality on Psychological Distress Among Saudi Healthcare Students and Professionals

Abstract

The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are evident in the literature. Yet nearly 2 years into the pandemic, little information is available about the sleep quality and psychological well-being of healthcare students and professionals in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep quality and psychological distress in that population during the pandemic. A self-administered online questionnaire consisting of three sections was distributed to participants through social media platforms to evaluate sleep quality and psychological distress. The questionnaire was completed by 771 Saudi healthcare students and professionals. There was an inverse relationship between sleep quality and psychological distress (p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.138). The sleep quality score was statistically different between participants with chronic conditions and those without (5.2 (± 2.1), 5.8 (± 2.2), p = 0.008, respectively). Severe psychological distress was reported by 35.5%, while 31.6% reported mild to moderate psychological distress. Female healthcare students were more susceptible to psychological distress than males (p < 0.001). Healthcare students and interns/residents were more susceptible to psychological distress than medical specialists or consultants (p = 0.001, p = 0.033, respectively). Engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors decreased the risk of psychological distress (p < 0.001, p = 0.006, respectively). The findings imply that sleep quality enhancement may decrease the risk of psychological distress among healthcare students and professionals in Saudi Arabia. Decision makers in healthcare facilities and schools could implement stress relief and coping programs to potentially reduce the risk of stress. Future in-depth qualitative research is warranted to examine the factors affecting sleep quality and psychological well-being.