SACM - Australia
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9648
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Item Restricted Quantifying the Human Impact on Vegetation Health in Rawdat Al Khafs, Saudi Arabia, Using Multi-Source Geospatial Data and Machine Learning(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alajmi, Abdulhadi; Dewan, AshrafArid and hyper-arid environments are vulnerable to land degradation and have become focal targets for large-scale afforestation initiatives combating desertification. The One Million Tree Initiative at Rawdat Al Khafs, a hyper-arid rawdah ~100 km northeast of Riyadh receiving < 50 mm annual rainfall, operates under the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030. Evaluating afforestation effectiveness in such settings remains methodologically challenging, as existing frameworks rarely separate climatedriven from human-induced vegetation change in hyper-arid conditions. This study addresses these gaps through three inter-connected objectives: (i) establishing a climate-driven vegetation baseline using a Random Forest (RF) regression model trained on pre-plantation Sentinel-2 imagery and multi-source climate data (20182021); (ii) detecting and quantifying residual vegetation trends (2018–2025) that exceed this baseline and may represent a non-climatic signal conditionally attributable to afforestation; and (iii) characterising the spatial fingerprint of the detected anomaly through phase-based proximity analysis and distance-decay modelling. The RF–RESTREND framework combines 10 m Sentinel-2 imagery, CHIRPS precipitation, and ERA5-Land temperature data with Mann–Kendall trend testing, Sen's slope, Difference-in-Differences (DiD) correction, and SHAP analysis, applied to both NDVI and EVI. A persistent positive vegetation anomaly was observed within the plantation boundary from mid-2022 onwards, consistent across both indices and not fully explained by the climate counterfactual. Within the study area, 77.6% of NDVI pixels and 81.7% of EVI pixels exhibited statistically significant greening (Mann–Kendall Z > +1.96), with mean Z-scores of +3.97 and +4.45, respectively. The EVI distance-decay model (R² = 0.53; decay length = 65 m) indicated a localised boundary effect, while SHAP analysis identified spatial position and long-term climatic trends as dominant predictors, consistent with micro-topographic moistureconcentration mechanisms in rawdah ecosystems. Attribution is framed as conditional, reflecting the short pre-plantation training window and the widening climate variability of the post-plantation period. These findings provide an early satellitebased, climate-corrected assessment of an ecological response associated with the One Million Tree Initiative. The RF–RESTREND framework is reproducible and scalable to comparable arid restoration contexts, supporting Vision 2030 monitoring.9 0Item Restricted Assessing the Behaviour Change Potential of Diabetes Self-Management Apps in Saudi Arabia Using the App Behaviour Change Scale (ABACUS)(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) ِAlkhuzaei, Rafid; Win, Khin ThanBackground: Diabetes affects approximately 23% of adults in Saudi Arabia, yet the behaviour change potential of diabetes self-management apps available in the Saudi market remains largely unexamined despite near-universal smartphone and internet access in the population. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate diabetes self-management mobile applications available in the Saudi Arabian Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Specifically, it evaluated behaviour change features using the App Behaviour Change Scale (ABACUS) and described application characteristics including language support, accessibility features, privacy policy availability, diabetes type support, advertising presence, data input functions and self-monitoring capabilities. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive content analysis was conducted in December 2025. Apps were identified through keyword searches in English and Arabic, screened against predefined eligibility criteria, and evaluated through direct use. Each app was assessed for general characteristics, self-monitoring features, accessibility, privacy practices, and behaviour change potential across the four ABACUS domains: Knowledge and Information, Goals and Planning, Feedback and Monitoring, and Actions. Results: A total of 103 apps met the inclusion criteria. English was the dominant language, with 92.2% of apps offering no Arabic support. Accessibility features were minimal across the sample. Blood glucose logging was universal, while nutrition and medication features were inconsistently implemented. Most apps (65%) did not specify a target diabetes type. The mean ABACUS score was 6.29 out of 21 (SD 2.63). Feedback and Monitoring was the strongest domain (mean 2.08), while Goals and Planning was the weakest (mean 0.73) . Conclusion: Diabetes self-management apps available in Saudi Arabia demonstrate limited linguistic inclusivity, inconsistent coverage of self-monitoring, and low potential for behaviour change. Future development should prioritise Arabic language support, accessibility, and stronger integration of goal-setting and action-planning techniques to better serve the Saudi population.21 0Item Restricted From Determinants to Sustainability: A Structural Equation Modeling Study of E-Government Use and Outcomes in The Post Adoption Stage in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) ALHussain, Abdullah; Shee, HimanshuThis thesis investigates the post-adoption phase of e-government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing on the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) variables on use activities and sustainable outcomes. This research examines how Users, Systems, and Infrastructures, as ICT determinants, influence the use of e-government in terms of rate of use and variety of use of the Tawakkalna platform, an ambitious e-government initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, in relation to advancements in outcomes concerning economic, governance, and social sustainability. The research employs a positivist, quantitative design based on the Use–Diffusion (UD) model. A systematic survey was administered to Tawakkalna users, resulting in 348 valid responses. Further, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS examined the proposed links between ICT determinants, use of e-government variables, and sustainable outcomes. The comprehensive structural model demonstrated an acceptable overall fit to the data: χ² (1352) = 3048.51, p < .001; χ²/df = 2.26; RMSEA = .061, 90% CI [.058, .064]; CFI = .905; TLI = .900; IFI = .906. The parsimony-adjusted indices further supported model adequacy (PNFI = .796; PCFI = .855), indicating that the proposed model achieves a satisfactory balance between explanatory power and parsimony and can be regarded as sufficiently robust. Additionally, the results indicate that System (β = .534, p < .001) and Infrastructure (β = .628, p < .001) are the strongest and most significant predictors of e-government utilisation, whereas User factors exert a comparatively weak and non-significant effect (β = .167). Within the User construct, trust in Tawakkalna (β = .941) and personal innovativeness (β = .767) emerged as robust indicators, while self-efficacy demonstrated a relatively marginal contribution (β = .141). The System construct comprising content quality, usability, security, and performance, exhibited consistently high standardized loadings (β = .880–.935), affirming the critical role of technological quality and reliability in sustaining continued e-government use. Similarly, Infrastructure-related dimensions, including process clarity, accessibility, and support, showed strong explanatory power (β = .922–1.025), confirming the central importance of institutional readiness and service accessibility in facilitating effective e-government utilisation. The use of e-government services significantly enhanced economic (β = .912, p < .001), governance (β = .933, p < .001), and social outcomes (β = .919, p < .001), indicating that sustained utilisation generates substantial multidimensional benefits. Furthermore, variety of use exerted a strong and significant effect on rate of use (β = .997, p < .001), underscoring the diffusion mechanism whereby engagement with a broader range of e-government services accelerates usage intensity. Furthermore, multi-group testing confirmed that gender, nationality, and area yielded identical effects, indicating generalizability of the proposed model within the Saudi context. This study is significant both theoretically and practically, as it advances understanding of e-governance in the post-adoption stage within the Saudi Arabian context. Theoretically, the research extends the Use-Diffusion (UD) model by integrating user, system, and infrastructure determinants with usage patterns and sustainable outcomes, including economic, social, and governance impacts. Unlike traditional adoption-focused frameworks such as TAM and UTAUT, this study emphasizes post-adoption behaviour through variety and rate of use, while also considering demographic influences on continued usage. Practically, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers, government agencies, and developers involved in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation initiatives, particularly the Tawakkalna platform. The findings are expected to support the development of more inclusive, secure, and user-centred e-government services, improve platform functionality and accessibility, and guide strategic policy and communication decisions aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.12 0Item Restricted Exploring the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Achieving Saudi Vision 2030(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alessa, Abdulaziz; Dhakal, Subas; Bayerlein, LeopoldVision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia involves significant institutional developments related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), aimed at transforming the economy into a more sustainable one. The private sector is expected to play a central role in achieving the Vision 2030 goals, and consequently, many Saudi companies have begun adopting CSR practices. However, the extent to which these initiatives—particularly in the banking sector—contribute to achieving these goals remains unclear. More importantly, studies on the link between CSR practices and Vision 2030 remain scarce. According to Carroll (1991), CSR involves conducting business in economically profitable, law-abiding, ethical and socially supportive ways. Grounded in this understanding, this thesis contends that CSR implementation in the Saudi banking sector can meaningfully support the Vision 2030 goals by serving as a mechanism for sustainable development. The study used a mixed methods approach: a document analysis of annual reports from 10 banks, semi-structured interviews with 10 CSR policymakers and a survey of 204 branch managers. This approach was used to assess the magnitude of these banks’ CSR initiatives, their policy formulation at the corporate level and their CSR initiatives at the branch level. The results revealed a multilayered picture of CSR within the Saudi banking sector. Document analysis showed that although banks are actively engaged in CSR initiatives—particularly in areas such as supporting small and medium enterprises, housing and charitable giving, environmental sustainability remains a peripheral focus. Further, the interviews with the CSR policymakers revealed that CSR policy formulation is centrally controlled and follows a top-down approach, often shaped by Vision 2030 priorities, board directives and alignment with Vision 2030. Some banks involve regional managers in the consultation process, but corporate management makes the final decisions, limiting input from operational staff. Moreover, governance plays a pivotal role: some banks have strong board oversight and structured CSR committees, while others rely on more ad hoc approaches with less formal integration. In addition, the survey results indicated a moderate alignment between branch-level practices and CSR policies, but also highlighted gaps in CSR-specific training, the insufficient allocation of financial resources and limited decision-making autonomy. Notably, statistical analysis showed that factors such as managerial experience, awareness of CSR policies and the availability of institutional support strongly influence branch-level CSR initiatives. These findings are supported by institutional and attitude–behaviour theories and offer in-depth insight into the multi-level dynamics of CSR policy and practice within the Saudi banking sector. This study provides valuable implications for policymakers, government regulators and banking professionals by highlighting the importance of aligning corporate-level CSR polices with operational initiatives to effectively support Vision 2030. In particular, regulatory bodies and CSR departments may use these findings to enhance policy communication, standardise reporting frameworks and strengthen branch-level capabilities, which would ensure that CSR becomes a more impactful, integrated tool for achieving the Vision 2030 goals.23 0Item Restricted Multi-sensor assessment of vegetation phenology in Rawdat Khuraim oasis: climate controls and spatiotemporal dynamics(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alharbi, Raed; Dewan, AshrafThis study investigated the dynamics of vegetation phenology in the Rawdat Khuraim Oasis, Saudi Arabia, using a multi-sensor remote sensing approach to assess climate-driven seasonal patterns from 2014 to 2024. The research addressed critical knowledge gaps on phenological responses in Arabian Peninsula oasis ecosystems through an integrated analysis of remote sensing data from three satellite systems: the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Landsat 8/9, and Sentinel-2. Daily Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series were reconstructed using hierarchical gap-filling and Savitzky–Golay filtering. Phenological metrics—Start of Season (SOS), End of Season (EOS), and Length of Season (LOS)—were extracted using threshold-based and derivative-based methods to ensure robust detection of seasonal transitions for shrub–grass communities. The analysis showed that Rawdat Khuraim exhibits a single-pulse phenological system driven mainly by the winter rainfall regime. Vegetation greening typically begins between late November and January, followed by senescence between March and early May, with growing seasons of 70–140 days depending on the timing and magnitude of rainfall. Cross-correlation analysis confirmed a lag of 2–8 weeks between peak rainfall and maximum NDVI response. Temperature was identified as the main limiting factor on season length, with land surface temperatures above 40 °C consistently triggering rapid senescence regardless of residual soil moisture. Climate–phenology relationships were quantified using multiple regression with precipitation from CHIRPS and temperature from the ERA5-Land reanalysis product. Early winter rainfall events and multiple rainfall pulses produced the strongest vegetation responses, whereas late or absent winter rainfall resulted in short growing seasons. Despite high interannual variability, Mann–Kendall trend analysis indicated no significant directional shifts in phenological timing, suggesting that year-to-year weather variability, rather than long-term climate trends, dominated during the study period. The multi-sensor framework successfully compensated for the limitations of individual platforms, with MODIS providing temporal continuity, Landsat contributing historical detail, and Sentinel-2 enhancing spatial resolution in recent years.16 0Item Restricted Educators and Mothers Developing Leaderships Skills in Kindergarten-Aged Children Through a Planned Play-Based Program: A Qualitative Case Study From Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) AlHumadi, Khlood Sultan; Powell, Jeff RLeadership skills are integral to children’s holistic development and can be nurtured from an early age through play and adult guidance. While Western research highlights the role of play and adult involvement in fostering children’s leadership skills, there is limited research on promoting these skills in kindergarten-aged children in Saudi Arabia. This gap is notable despite the recent emphasis on developing leadership skills in children through the Saudi curriculum under Vision 2030. Addressing this gap, this study investigated how educators and mothers can promote leadership in kindergarten-aged children (5–6 years), using a play-based program developed in consultation with them, within a selected Saudi Arabian kindergarten and home settings. The collaboratively developed program focused on building specific leadership skills—such as communication, and perseverance—through structured, play-based activities. Its design followed a skills-based perspective and drew on Vygotsky’s (1978) theoretical notions and research-informed strategies aligned with the Saudi context to ensure cultural relevance and developmental appropriateness. Specifically, the study aimed to explore educators’ and mothers’ perceptions and practices regarding children’s leadership skills development. This study draws on Vygotsky’s (1978) theoretical notions of the roles of adults and of play in children’s learning and development, providing a developmental frame for considering children’s leadership. The study also captured their reflections on the implementation of the play-based leadership program in Saudi Arabian kindergarten and homes. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected during the COVID-19 period from a purposive sample of two educators and 10 mothers of 10 children (fathers could not participate for cultural reasons). Initially, data were gathered to understand educators’ and mothers’ perceptions and guidance of children’s leadership skills development through semistructured interviews and observations. Identifying a need to support educators’ and mothers’ vi knowledge and guidance of children’s leadership skills through play, two workshops were conducted to collaboratively develop a play-based leadership skills program. Following the program’s implementation, data on educators’ and mothers’ guidance of children’s leadership skills, as well as their reflections on the program, were gathered through semi-structured interviews and observations. Interview data were thematically analysed to explore educators’ and mothers’ perceptions of leadership and their reflections on the program. Both interview and observational data were subjected to framework analysis to examine guidance practices and observed leadership skills in children. The findings revealed varied perceptions of leadership among educators and mothers before they adopted the play-based leadership development program. Educators defined leadership primarily in terms of the leader’s influence, essential traits such as self-confidence and communication, and interaction styles that encourage collaboration. Mothers also echoed these views but placed greater emphasis on control and authority within family and social settings. Both groups agreed leadership extends to early childhood, blending innate traits and learned skills, although some mothers viewed it as solely innate. While most considered ages 2–6 a critical period, opinions varied on the ages at which children can begin to develop leadership skills. Further, while educators and mothers implicitly promoted children’s leadership skills by encouraging responsibility and fostering independent choices, they were not explicitly or actively developing these skills at home or in kindergarten, and particularly not doing so through play. Instead, educators predominantly focused on teaching curricular subjects and relied on general teaching strategies. Barriers limiting educators’ opportunities to support leadership development through play included the impact of COVID-19, restrictive curriculum design, inconsistent support from mothers, and inadequate training programs. vii However, educators and mothers intentionally began to promote leadership skills like decision-making, teamwork, and initiative through play after implementing the play-based program developed for this study and guided by the researcher over 7 weeks. Fitting into the kindergarten schedule and COVID-era feasibility constraints, there was only a seven-week period to scaffold and support participants’ understanding of leadership skills development across kindergarten and home settings. During this time, educators and mothers engaged intensively in practicing leadership-promoting activities—fostering greater facilitation confidence, strengthening their collaboration, and equipping them with strategies to continue guiding children’s leadership skills development after the program. This period is thus deemed sufficient. Educators integrated a broader set of leadership skills, such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, teamwork, initiative, and empathy, into daily lessons through guided play. Mothers also fostered a wider range of leadership skills, such as perseverance, problem-solving, conflict resolution, teamwork, initiative, and empathy, by combining free and guided play at home. Both groups emphasised the program’s broader benefits, reporting a new understanding of leadership and an appreciation for the role of play in developing children’s leadership skills. They recognised the importance of collaboration between kindergartens and home to sustain this development. Educators noted that fostering leadership skills increased children’s enthusiasm for learning, while mothers observed improved family dynamics, particularly strengthening the mother-child bond. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limited time and interaction, both educators and mothers expressed a commitment to continuing these approaches to nurture leadership skills utilising play in the future. This study highlights the role of play and adult guidance in children’s leadership development, offering valuable insights into the adoption of play-based approaches in Saudi Arabian kindergartens and homes. It underscores the importance of understanding viii stakeholders’ initial perceptions and practices to tailor educational interventions effectively for educators and parents. The study recommends explicitly integrating play-based leadership into the kindergarten curriculum, providing leadership training programs for educators, and offering resources to support mothers in facilitating home-based leadership activities. Limitations of the study included cultural constraints, time restrictions, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should broaden the demographic scope, extend the timeframe to assess long-term benefits, and refine the focus on specific play-based strategies to enhance the development of leadership skills in young children.25 0Item Restricted The Environmental Impact of Dams in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Almalki, Raid; Khaki, Mehdi; Patricia, Saco; Rodriguez, JoseUnderstanding vegetation cover dynamics and their relationship with environmental variables is critical for maintaining ecosystem functionality, particularly in arid regions like Saudi Arabia. Dams play a vital role in water resource management, capturing runoff for domestic and agricultural use. However, their construction and operation can lead to significant environmental impacts, both upstream and downstream. Downstream regions are most affected by these impacts, spanning biological, hydrological, chemical, and geophysical domains. Although dams provide water, recharge groundwater, and increase agricultural productivity, they can also aggravate environmental degradation, particularly in arid or semi-arid areas, where water availability changes, natural flow regimes are reduced, and soil salinization is increased. Recent scientific interest has focused on the environmental consequences of dams, yet existing studies often rely on ground-based measurements without integrating advanced technologies like remote sensing and land hydrology models. This limitation hinders a comprehensive assessment of dam impacts on downstream vegetation and associated environmental factors. Key variables such as Land Surface Temperature (LST), soil moisture, soil salinity, precipitation, temperature, stream runoff, and groundwater levels remain underexplored in their relationship to vegetation dynamics. While some studies have employed basic statistical methods like linear regression and principal component analysis (PCA) to explore the dam’s impacts on such variables, there is a pressing need for more advanced analytical approaches to better evaluate these complex relationships. Furthermore, research on ephemeral streams in arid regions is scarce, despite their critical role in understanding downstream environmental impacts. This study fills these gaps by combining remote sensing technology with outputs of land hydrology models to provide an integrated assessment of downstream environmental effects of dam development in arid countries, with Saudi Arabia as the main case study. Specifically, the study investigates the effects of various environmental factors on downstream vegetation, with a focus on ephemeral streams. Advanced methodologies—including satellite remote sensing, reanalyzed hydrological data, and machine learning techniques—are used to monitor changes before and after dam construction. Analytical software includes supervised vegetation classification, moderated mediation analysis for direct and indirect effects, PCA and Two-Step Clustering for investigating environmental groupings, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) for identifying spatiotemporal changes, and Vector Autoregression (VAR) modeling for quantifying time-lagged vegetation response to hydroclimatic variables. A space-for-time substitution approach is also applied to generalize findings across different spatial and temporal contexts. By integrating these advanced techniques, this study establishes a comprehensive framework for assessing dam-induced environmental impacts on downstream ecosystems in arid regions. These results provide important guidance for decision-makers and those overseeing environmental management, supporting sustainable development and effective water resource management in dam-affected regions.46 0Item Restricted The Influence of Digital Technology Engagement on Academic Performance in Undergraduate Students in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alruthaya, Ali Saleh; Khan, ShahadatThis thesis examines the influence of digital technology on student engagement and academic performance among undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia. Recognising the importance of digital transformation in education, this research addresses significant gaps in understanding how digital technologies affect educational outcomes broadly within Saudi higher education institutions. Employing a positivist paradigm and a quantitative research approach, this study utilises the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework. It evaluates the impact of seven key constructs, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, habit, and learning value, on student engagement and subsequently assesses the direct relationship between student engagement and academic performance. Data was collected via questionnaires from a diverse sample of 527 undergraduate students across six Saudi public universities, and subsequently analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, social influence, facilitating conditions, and learning value significantly enhance student engagement, which positively influences academic performance. Theoretically, this research extends the UTAUT2 model by incorporating academic performance as a critical outcome variable, offering original and nuanced insights specific to the Saudi educational context. Practically, the results provide valuable guidance for educators and policymakers aiming to utilise digital technologies effectively to boost student engagement and academic achievement. This study acknowledges limitations, including its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, which may limit external validity. However, the originality and value of this research lie in its pioneering application of the UTAUT2 framework within the unique socio-cultural and educational landscape of Saudi Arabia. This research provides foundational insights to inform strategic and operational educational reforms in Saudi Arabia and other similar regional contexts.38 0Item Restricted Investigating the Relationship Between Transit-Oriented Development and Housing Preferences of Saudis: Riyadh as a Case Study(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alshehri, Abdullah Ghurm M; Hoon, Han; Hazel, EasthopeThis study investigates the relationship between Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and housing preferences in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, examining how socio-cultural norms influence housing preferences near metro stations. The research addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding community perceptions of TOD, housing preferences near metro stations, and socio-cultural impacts on these preferences in Saudi Arabia's first major TOD implementation. A mixed-methods approach combined expert interviews in Dubai and Riyadh with a survey of 355 Riyadh residents across 28 locations. This methodology enabled analysis of housing preferences, socio-cultural influences, and TOD acceptance before metro operations commenced in December 2024. The findings reveal demographic factors significantly influence TOD acceptance, with younger residents, singles, and smaller families showing greater openness to high-density living. Traditional preferences for villa-type housing remain strong among older residents and larger families. Economic constraints frequently override cultural preferences, pushing residents toward apartment living despite cultural inclinations toward villas. Socio-cultural analysis identified evolving attitudes toward privacy and shared spaces, particularly among women, with 47.8% expressing willingness to use mixed-gender elevators. Religious facilities and family-oriented amenities ranked as highest priorities. Despite cultural preferences for larger homes, 65.0% of respondents would accept smaller units near metro stations if prices remained affordable. This research makes three key contributions: examining resident preferences before TOD implementation, documenting how demographic factors influence housing preferences, and revealing the ways socio-cultural norms affect TOD acceptance. The findings can inform culturally sensitive urban planning approaches that balance density requirements with traditional values, applicable to Riyadh and similar cities seeking to implement TOD while respecting cultural contexts.36 0Item Restricted Exploring wellbeing and its influencing factors among nursing students in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Aloufi, Mohammad Ayed M; Cusack, Lynette; Hegney, Desley; Conlon, LisaNursing students may experience high levels of stress and psychological burden, which affects their wellbeing. In the Saudi Arabian context, existing evidence suggests these levels exceed those reported by their international counterparts. Despite this, limited research has explored how wellbeing is understood and experienced by nursing students within the unique cultural and academic environment of Saudi Arabia. Gaining a deeper understanding of students’ wellbeing and the factors that influence it is essential for developing effective strategies that support their academic success and overall health. This will ultimately contribute to improved outcomes for these future nurses and their patients in the healthcare system. The overarching aim of this study was to explore wellbeing and its influencing factors among nursing students in Saudi Arabia. A multi-method research design was adopted in two separate stages. The quantitative stage involved a cross-sectional survey of undergraduate nursing students (n = 307), using validated instruments to measure general wellbeing, academic wellbeing, and resilience. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess the current state of these variables and their associations with demographic factors. In the qualitative stage, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 nursing students to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing their wellbeing. The qualitative data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s approach. A total of 307 nursing students completed the quantitative survey, with a response rate of 93%. The mean scores for general wellbeing, academic wellbeing, and resilience were 70 ± 2.33, 76 ± 13.4, and 19 ± 6 respectively, indicating moderate to high levels overall. Among the demographic variables, gender and family income were found to significantly influence nursing students’ wellbeing. Female students scored slightly higher on academic wellbeing (ß = 3.17, p < 0.01) and slightly lower on resilience (ß = -1.18, p = 0.05) compared to male students. Additionally, students from families with moderate income reported significantly higher general wellbeing scores compared to those with low income (ß = 3.71, p = 0.02). The qualitative findings revealed that students perceived wellbeing as a state of “stress-free living”, “strong family connections” ,“finding joy and happiness”, “living with a sense of purpose”, “having good health”, and “living in a nurturing environment”. The factors influencing their wellbeing were organised into three overarching themes: individual factors, social factors, and environmental-educational factors. This thesis brings new knowledge to the field of nursing education by offering the first in-depth exploration of how nursing students in Saudi Arabia understand and experience wellbeing. Through a multi-method approach, it has established baseline data on general, academic, and psychological wellbeing, while also uncovering the unique, culturally embedded ways in which students define and pursue wellbeing. Notably, the study identified key influences, including family, peers, and educators, that operate in both supportive and detrimental ways, revealing complexities not captured in widely used Western models, for example, PERMA or the Dynamic Model for Wellbeing.34 0