Work Perception and Perceived Stress Among Nurses and Interns Working in the Critical Care Units in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives Work perception is a very important component that has both positive and negative influences on the stress perceived by the employees of any organisation. This study was carried out to examine the correlation and association between work perception and stress levels among nurses and interns working in critical care units. Material and Methods A descriptive correlational study was conducted on 102 nurses and nursing interns working in different critical care units of a selected hospital in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study participants were selected conveniently, and data were collected using a validated, 20-item self-report perception and 20-item stress scale, which was previously tested with a Cronbach’s alpha reliability score of 0.8 for the self-report perception scale and 0.7 for the stress scale. Results The results indicate a weak negative correlation between perception and stress, though not statistically significant (Pearson correlation = -0.172, p = 0.084). Additionally, stress was significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, employment status, work hours, and length of service ( p <0.001), which was assessed using Chi-square. These findings highlight the importance of demographic factors in understanding stress and provide insights for targeted interventions. Conclusion The study highlights that nurses’ and interns’ perceived stress is associated with their demographic variables, whereas the correlation between stress and work was not statistically significant. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs are recommended to deepen understanding.