Effect of Staff Wellness Programs on Nurses’ Perceptions of Supporting Healthy Behaviors in R2 Healthcare Settings, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2026.v17i05.011Abstract
Background: Nurses commonly experience high levels of occupational stress that can negatively influence their emotional health, job performance, and the quality of patient care. Workplace wellness programs that include interventions such as counseling support, recreational activities, creative therapies, and lifestyle coaching have been introduced to improve well-being; however, evidence on their effectiveness in hospital nursing populations remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of a Staff Wellness Program on reducing psychological distress and enhancing nurses’ perceptions of organizational support for healthy behaviors. Methods: A quantitative pretest–posttest design was carried out among registered nurses working across 12 hospitals in the Riyadh Second Healthcare Cluster (R2), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, administered by King Fahad Medical City (KFMC). Participation was voluntary following institutional invitations. Due to logistical arrangements, baseline assessment and program implementation were conducted at PIMA Hospital during a Staff Wellness Day. Data were collected at baseline and three months post-intervention using a structured electronic questionnaire accessed via QR code with online informed consent. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), while perceptions of healthy behavior support were assessed using a validated scale. Data analysis included paired t-tests, McNemar test, and Pearson correlation, with reliability confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in GHQ-12 scores after the intervention (mean difference = -3.88, p < 0.001), indicating improved psychological well-being. Healthy behavior perception scores showed a significant increase (mean difference = 9.14, p < 0.001), corresponding to a 16.22% improvement. Post-intervention findings demonstrated a transition from moderate to higher levels of positive perception, with an increase in the “very high” category (32.8%) and a reduction in the “low” category (6.8%). A significant inverse correlation was found between psychological distress and healthy behavior perception (r = −0.37, p = 0.01). Age emerged as the only demographic factor significantly associated with post-test distress levels. Conclusion: The Staff Wellness Program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing psychological distress and improving nurses’ perceptions of workplace wellness support. These results highlight the value of structured wellness initiatives in enhancing nurses’ psychological well-being and promoting positive workplace behaviors. Continued implementation of such programs is recommended to strengthen resilience, support well-being, and improve the quality of patient care.
Keywords:
Healthy Behaviors Nurses, Psychological Distress, Staff Wellness ProgramDownloads
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