Occupational stress levels among indonesian nurses and midwives in Saudi Arabian healthcare settings: a comparative cross-sectional study
Dublin Core
Title
Occupational stress levels among indonesian nurses and midwives in Saudi Arabian healthcare settings: a comparative cross-sectional study
Subject
indonesian, nurse, midwife, saudi arabia, occupational stress
Description
Introduction: The increasing demand for Indonesian nurses and midwives in Saudi Arabia has not been thoroughly
investigated, particularly concerning physiological, physical, and social environmental conditions. This study aimed to
assess the occupational stress levels among Indonesian nurses and midwives working in Saudi Arabian healthcare
settings.
Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study assessed occupational stress among Indonesian nurses and midwives
working in Saudi Arabia using the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS). A total of 166 respondents (85 nurses and 81
midwives) completed the survey from a professional WhatsApp group. A convenience sampling was attempted, and
only those who voluntarily responded to the questionnaire were included. The primary dependent variable was
occupational stress, while the independent variables included profession (nurse and midwife), age, sex, education level,
workplace setting, marital status, and years of experience. The analytical tests used were Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-
Wallis.
Results: Occupational stress among nurses (Mean = 109) and midwives (Mean = 107) was low in psychological, physical,
and social environments. Workload was the most stressful factor for both nurses (Mean = 20.44) and midwives (Mean
= 18.88). We found a significant difference in the level of stress based on their workplace (p = 0.038) and educational
background (p = 0.005). There was no difference in the level of stress between nurses and midwives (p = 0.188).
Conclusions: In comparison, either nurses or midwives have a low level of occupational stress, which is related to
psychological, physical, and social environments based on ENSS tools. Therefore, optimal healthcare management and
policy should be maintained and improved for migrant nurses and midwives to foster better, sustainable healthcare
development in the future.
investigated, particularly concerning physiological, physical, and social environmental conditions. This study aimed to
assess the occupational stress levels among Indonesian nurses and midwives working in Saudi Arabian healthcare
settings.
Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study assessed occupational stress among Indonesian nurses and midwives
working in Saudi Arabia using the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS). A total of 166 respondents (85 nurses and 81
midwives) completed the survey from a professional WhatsApp group. A convenience sampling was attempted, and
only those who voluntarily responded to the questionnaire were included. The primary dependent variable was
occupational stress, while the independent variables included profession (nurse and midwife), age, sex, education level,
workplace setting, marital status, and years of experience. The analytical tests used were Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-
Wallis.
Results: Occupational stress among nurses (Mean = 109) and midwives (Mean = 107) was low in psychological, physical,
and social environments. Workload was the most stressful factor for both nurses (Mean = 20.44) and midwives (Mean
= 18.88). We found a significant difference in the level of stress based on their workplace (p = 0.038) and educational
background (p = 0.005). There was no difference in the level of stress between nurses and midwives (p = 0.188).
Conclusions: In comparison, either nurses or midwives have a low level of occupational stress, which is related to
psychological, physical, and social environments based on ENSS tools. Therefore, optimal healthcare management and
policy should be maintained and improved for migrant nurses and midwives to foster better, sustainable healthcare
development in the future.
Creator
Akhir Fahruddin1
* , Slametiningsih Slametiningsih2
, Dwi Setyorini3
, and Sylvia Gusrina4
* , Slametiningsih Slametiningsih2
, Dwi Setyorini3
, and Sylvia Gusrina4
Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jn.v20i3.63471
Date
18 August 2025
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Akhir Fahruddin1
* , Slametiningsih Slametiningsih2
, Dwi Setyorini3
, and Sylvia Gusrina4, “Occupational stress levels among indonesian nurses and midwives in Saudi Arabian healthcare settings: a comparative cross-sectional study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11153.