The Impact of Workload on Mental Health Among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of workload on mental health among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 296 healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, technicians, pharmacists, and administrative staff. The study employed a descriptive method and a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The questionnaire was validated through face validity and internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.890 to 0.956. The study examined three factors: workload factors, job engagement, and emotional well-being. Results showed that participants generally agreed with the manageability of their workload (80.11%) and reported high levels of job engagement (71.40%). However, emotional well-being received a neutral opinion (77.42%). The study found a negative moderate significant relationship between workload factors and mental health (r=-0.503), a positive strong significant relationship between job engagement and mental health (r=0.650), and a negative moderate significant relationship between emotional well-being and mental health (r=-0.545). The findings emphasize the importance of supportive organizational practices, such as fair workload distribution, professional growth opportunities, and open communication about mental health, in enhancing the well-being and job satisfaction of healthcare workers. The study recommends strengthening support networks, promoting open communication on mental health, adjusting workload and scheduling, providing opportunities for professional development, improving access to mental health resources, and encouraging work-life balance to foster a healthier work environment for healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.