Middle-Level Leadership Style and the Effects of Stress among Nurses in Primary Health Care, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing is an important profession in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with nurses comprising more than 80% of the individuals providing health care services, which will increase by 2030. Therefore, developing and maintaining effective nursing leadership is critical to achieving organizational goals and maintaining quality of care despite the challenging healthcare environment. Methods: The data were collected through the distribution of two tools, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, as a tool to evaluate stress, and the Leadership Style Questionnaire, among 204 nurse workforce members and 57 middle-level nurse managers who belong to Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study used a cross-sectional survey design and descriptive correlation analysis. Results: The study indicated associations of age, nationality, and years of working experience as demographic characteristics with the level of stress experienced by the participants. No association was found between demographic characteristics and depression. Moreover, the study illustrated that middle-level leaders show different leadership styles. The findings also indicated an association between years of working experience and a democratic leadership style. In conclusion, no single leadership style is appropriate for every leader in every situation. Demographic characteristics such as age, nationality, and years of working experience showed associations with the level of stress experienced by the nurse workforce. However, they had no association with depression. Conclusion and Recommendation: Investigating the key reasons for the development of stress and depression in nursing staff is crucial. Accordingly, nurses must have opportunities to voice their complaints and ideas about improving the work environment. Educating nurse managers and head nurses about the different styles of leadership; and, how they should select suitable managerial aspects to fit the situation is also important. Further investigations are indicated to explore what triggers stress and depression among the nursing workforce.