Depressive, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms Among Respiratory Therapists in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Saudi Arabia: Differences According to Sociodemographic Characteristics

Background: Respiratory Therapists (RTs) work in high-stress environments, predisposing them to psychological distress. This study evaluated the proportion of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms and their differences across sociodemographic groups among RTs in two Saudi Arabian tertiary hospitals.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2023 at two tertiary hospitals in Jeddah and Riyadh. Out of 355 invited RTs, 112 completed an online questionnaire comprising sociodemographic items and the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).Results: Of the 112 participants, 61.6% were female, 47.3% were married, and 58.0% were Saudi nationals. The overall proportion of participants scoring above the normal range was 15.2% for stress, 42.0% for anxiety, and 37.5% for depression. Severe or extremely severe symptoms were observed in 2.7% for depression, 11.6% for anxiety, and none for stress. In unadjusted comparisons, mean scores for depression and stress were significantly higher among male RTs (p = 0.006 and p = 0.046, respectively) and Saudi nationals (p < 0.001 for both). Significant differences in mean scores were observed across age groups for all three outcomes (p < 0.05), with the 31–35 years age group consistently showing the highest mean scores. No significant differences were observed by marital status or hospital site.Conclusion: Although severe psychological symptoms were uncommon, a substantial proportion of RTs reported symptoms of depression (37.5%) and anxiety (42.0%) above the normal range. In unadjusted comparisons, the 31–35 years age group, male gender, and Saudi nationality showed higher psychological distress scores. Targeted workplace wellness interventions and larger multicenter studies are recommended.