Effects of psychological distress on health anxiety among nurses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Nurses often experience high levels of psychological distress due to stressful work environments, which can lead to increased health anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of psychological distress on health anxiety among nurses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A descriptive-survey research design was used, with a sample of 311 nurses selected through simple random sampling from a population of 1630 nurses. Data were collected using the Salkovskis and Warwick Health Anxiety Questionnaire and the Kessler et al. Psychological Distress Questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaires was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.84 and 0.79, respectively. Data analysis was performed using linear regression via SPSS software. The results showed a significant positive effect of psychological distress on health anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of psychological support and interventions in reducing health anxiety among nurses and improving their overall well-being.