Psychological Profile of Nurse Managers in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Implications for Nursing Leadership

Aim. This study examined the mental health of nurse managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical and mental health of senior nurses, including effects of shortages of staff and medical supplies. However, no study has examined this topic among nurse managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia despite their exposure to mental stress during the pandemic. Methods. A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and general psychological distress among nurse managers in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected August 2023 to February 2024. The main tool was the reliable and validated Arabic translation of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data collection was performed using an online platform. IBM SPSS software was used for data analysis. The data was analysed using multiple regression to examine the relationship between the dependent (outcome) and independent (predictor) variables. A significant p-value was set at 0.05. Results. Stress and general psychological distress were the most common problems among nurse managers in the post-COVID-19 era. Individual educational attainment was the only significant predictor of anxiety, stress, and general psychological distress. Moreover, the nationalities of nurse managers were correlated with stress outcomes. Conclusions. Nursing managers are very likely to suffer from stress and general mental health problems in cases of exposure to crises. They may find the results of this study useful in understanding the factors that may play a role in the development of mental health problems during clinical work. Different strategies can be considered to alleviate depression, anxiety, and stress among managers, including the proper delegation of tasks. Top-level management and healthcare stakeholders should give special considerations to the nationality and education level upon selecting nurse mangers at different levels. Implications in Nursing Management. Policy makers involved in planning care for healthcare professionals may find this study valuable in planning for future pandemics by developing a strategy that could reduce stress and psychological distress.