Aim: To assess the mediating role of emotion regulation and emotional intelligence in the relationship between stress and academic engagement among Saudi undergraduate nursing students.Design: This study employed a quantitative cross‐sectional research design.Methods: The study recruited 367 Saudi undergraduate nursing students at a major Saudi university. Structural equation modelling was used to explore the mediational model.Results: The results of the ANOVA and Welch F‐test demonstrated that the emotional intelligence, emotional regulation and academic engagement scores were statistically significantly different according to stress levels (p‐values <0.01). Perceived stress has a statistically significant moderate negative correlation with academic engagement and emotional intelligence and a strong negative correlation with emotional regulation. The results also showed that academic engagement had a statistically significant moderate positive association with emotional intelligence and emotional regulation. Results indicate that stress and academic engagement are negatively correlated among Saudi undergraduate nursing students. It focuses on the balancing functions of emotional regulation and emotional intelligence, highlighting their ability to lower stress levels and improve academic engagement.No Patient or Public Contribution.

Background: Reflection increases meta-cognitive capacities, promotes student-instructor relationships, overcomes the theory-practice gap, and enriches learning. This study aims at exploring nursing students’ perspectives on the facilitators of reflective practices in the clinical setting. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 21 Saudi nursing students at one major university in Saudi Arabia. Results: Two major themes were prevalent upon thematic analysis, namely, “Personal Drivers of Reflection” which consisted of “Motivation to Learn”, “Desire to develop”, “Ethical Regard”, and “Responsibility towards patients” and “External Drivers of Reflection” which consisted of “Patient characteristics”, “Case complexity”, and “Competent Instructors”. Conclusion: As per the results of the study, nursing students perceived that they underwent reflection as a response to personal motivational and external educational aspects. According to the findings, instructors should assist students through clinical reflection, with a special focus on their interactions and motivation.

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Stroke nurses play an important role in the care of patients living with stroke by using best practices and adhering to stroke-management guidelines. This study aims at examining the current nursing practice for stroke patients in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to collect data from nurses working in the stroke unit and intensive care unit between the period of February and June 2022 using electronic self-administered questionnaires. Results: A convenience sample of 131 nurses who provided care for stroke patients was enrolled. Significant differences in nursing practice were found between the stroke units and the intensive care units regarding the activation of the stroke code, X² (4, N = 131) = 48.34, p < 0.001; transferring stroke patients to a designated bed, X² (4, N = 131) = 48.74, p = 0.002; applying the NIHSS, X² (4, N = 131) = 70.11, p < 0.001; using the modified Rankin scale, X² (4, N = 131) = 61.24, p < 0.001; providing intervention for neglect syndrome, X² (4, N = 131) = 44.72, and hemianopsia, X² (4, N = 131) = 39.22; screening for poststroke depression, X² (4, N = 131) = 101.59, p < 0.001; assessing for psychosocial needs, X² (4, N = 131) = 74.44, p < 0.001, and encouraging patients to express their feelings, X² (4, N = 131) = 58.64, p < 0.001; educating patients and families about stroke prevention, X² (4, N = 131) = 40.51, p < 0.001. Conclusion: As per the results of the study, there is an urgent need for stroke units run by specialized stroke nurses to provide early stroke management and improve survivors’ outcomes. Structured stroke-care programs are needed to improve nursing practice and meet the international standard of stroke care.

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of serious, long-term disability worldwide. The approximately 15 million people each year who experience stroke are at risk of developing depression. Poststroke depressive symptoms affect one third of survivors of stroke. Patients who develop poststroke depressive symptoms experience decreased functional independence, poor cognitive recovery, decreased quality of life, and increased mortality. Survivors of stroke use social support to deal with stress and defend against the adverse effects of negative stroke outcomes. Purpose: This study was designed to examine the influence of perceived social support (emotional and informational, tangible, affectionate, and positive social interaction), stress level, and functional independence on depressive symptoms in survivors of stroke. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study design in outpatient settings and rehabilitation centers was conducted. A convenience sample of 135 survivors of stroke completed the psychometrically valid instruments. Results: Most of the sample had mild or moderate depressive symptoms (26% and 29%, respectively). The mean score for perceived social support was 77.53 (SD = 21.44) on the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. A negative association was found between depressive symptoms and the social support total score (r = −.65, p < .01). All of the social support subcategories were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Hierarchical multiple linear regression showed that social support, stress level, and literacy were associated with depressive symptoms (β = −.31, p < .001; β = .45, p < .001; and β = .16, p = .01, respectively) and partially mediated the association between depressive symptoms and functional independence. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Poststroke depressive symptoms are common among survivors of stroke. Social support may improve health by protecting these individuals from the negative outcomes of stroke and enhance their recovery. Future research is required to examine how related interventions improve social support in caregivers and reduce depressive symptoms in stroke survivors.

Introduction: The rising prevalence of patients living with chronic illnesses and frequent hospitalizations represent many challenges in delivering high-quality care. Assessing patients’ perceptions and needs regarding the quality of health care services is a critical step in improving quality of care. Objective: This study sought to explore the perception of quality of care from the perspectives and experiences of chronically ill patients during hospitalization. Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive design. Face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 15 chronically ill patients at their bedside during their current hospital admission. Analysis followed Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. Results: Overall patients were pleased with their hospitalization experience; however, they highlighted many aspects of care that can be addressed to improve the quality of care provided. Five themes were identified from the analysis as follows: defining quality of care; aspects related to the healthcare providers; unmet care needs; patient's involvement in healthcare decisions and care expectations and outcomes. Conclusion: A key finding of this study was the association between quality of care and healthcare providers’ skills, clinical competence, and attitudes. Poor communication and discoordination of care were the most significant impediment expressed. Actively involving patients in care may be effective when combined with meeting expectations. The findings of this study helped to identify the strength points and areas of improvement that are the cornerstone for developing tailored and patient-centered strategies to improve the quality of care during hospitalizations among chronically ill Saudis.

Background: Stroke is a serious health problem that can lead to the development of depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and functional dependence in stroke survivors. The change in stroke survivors’ quality of life results in negative health outcomes for stroke survivors and caregivers. This study aims to investigate the association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among stroke survivors and caregivers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 100 stroke survivors and 80 caregivers using the patient health questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: 43% of the stroke survivors reported depressive symptoms and 65% had poor sleep quality; 21% of the caregivers reported depressive symptoms and 46% reported poor sleep quality. A strong association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms was detected for the stroke survivors and caregivers: (r = 0.885, p < 0.001); (r = 0.669, p < 0.001), respectively. A strong association was found between caregivers’ depressive symptoms and patient post-stroke depressive symptoms (r = 0.502, p < 0.001). A moderate association was found between stroke survivors’ sleep quality and caregivers’ sleep quality (r = 0.407, p < 0.001). There was a moderate association between stroke survivors’ depressive symptoms and caregivers’ sleep quality (r = 0.456, p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a moderate association between stroke survivors’ sleep quality and caregivers’ depressive symptoms (r = 0.492, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms are common among stroke survivors and caregivers. This study found an association between the two variables. Therefore, depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances in stroke survivors and caregivers should receive more attention. Future research should focus on an interventional study to enhance sleep quality and decrease the risk of depressive symptoms.