Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Navigating Male Partner Infertility Through a Bowen Family Systems Theory Lens: An In-depth Analysis of Women’s Experience and Psychological Interventions(Nova Southeastern University, 2025) Khalil, Dania; Venetia, Bennett; Tracey-Ann, SpencerMale infertility can be disturbing to individuals in a relationship system where the reproduction of children is one of the agreed upon goals of the relationship. This life crisis can cause severe emotional and psychological distress for the female partner within the relationship system. Additionally, social pressure, and other effects outside of the relationship system may be experienced and cause further distress to these women. This ACP critically analyzed the literature on the emotional experience of females whose male partner is struggling with infertility, their mental health, treatment journey, relational concerns, and coping strategies utilized by those women to manage the stress associated with such a condition. The review identified several gaps, notably the limited research on the emotional experience of women whose partner was diagnosed with infertility. Additionally, limited research surrounds the implementation of psychotherapeutic interventions that could help the targeted population. In response to these gaps, this project will conduct a critical analysis of the literature utilizing Bowen family system theory (BFST) to make sense of the women's experiences. In addition, it will incorporate BFST in the development of a psychotherapeutic intervention for clinicians that will assist in improving women's capacity to manage stress linked to their male partner's infertility and address the inadequacies. The intervention proposed will help increase women's level of differentiation, enabling them to make rational responses as they interact with their spouses as well as the larger system.6 0Item Restricted Mindfulness as a Culturally Sensitive Moderator Between Stress and Anxiety in Saudi Female International Students(University of Cincinnati, 2024) Aldosari, Hend Abdullah; Brubaker, MichaelInternational students studying in the U.S. are becoming increasingly more common as students take advantage of new and existing educational opportunities. One of the larger populations of international students in the U.S. are Saudi students. While students face a number of stressors and anxieties related to schooling, Saudi international students face additional stressors related to adapting and acclimating to the new cultural environment. This is especially exacerbated in Saudi women, as they face discrimination based on the way they dress and have additional burdens such as family and childcare. However, culturally sensitive counseling approaches which address this unique population have yet to be fully investigated or developed. Mindfulness is a technique which involves quieting one’s mind and body and reflecting on one’s situation and circumstances without self-judgment. This approach has been used extensively as a technique to reduce and moderate the relationship between stress and anxiety generally and has been found to be effective in international students as well. Furthermore, mindfulness intersects directly with the principles of Islam through its focus on self-reflection and calming one’s mind, making it a culturally sensitive approach for Muslim clients, such as Saudi women. However, the moderating effects of mindfulness on stress and anxiety in Saudi female international students has yet to be investigated. The goal of this dissertation is to review what is known on the effects of mindfulness on stress and anxiety in international students and to investigate the moderating effects of mindfulness on stress and anxiety in Saudi female students in the U.S.19 0Item Restricted Mental Illness in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Mortality and Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Characteristics and Survival(University of Edinburgh, 2024) Alotaibi, Raied; Jackson, CarolineAbstract Background People with mental illnesses have a 10–20 years shorter life expectancy than the general population. This mortality gap is primarily attributed to the increased risk and worse outcome of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with mental illnesses. Socioeconomic factors and healthcare accessibility, combined with systemic deficiencies in healthcare infrastructure and new policies aimed at reducing healthcare utilisation, may have exacerbated these disparities. Despite efforts to prioritise equitable care delivery, stigma and a lack of training among healthcare providers about mental health conditions persist, contributing to the ongoing challenges of addressing this issue. Although the link between mental illnesses and CVD is well established, the relationship between mental illnesses and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) characteristics and outcomes has been comparatively underresearched. The majority of OHCAs have an underlying cardiac aetiology, and hence, risk factors for CVD, such as depression, can influence the probability of experiencing OHCA and surviving it. A better understanding of how mental illnesses affect OHCA outcomes may help explain part of the overall observed lower life expectancy in patients with mental illnesses. Therefore, this thesis aims to explore the mortality gap between individuals with and without mental illnesses, with a specific focus on OHCA as a potential contributor to this gap. Methods In this thesis, I conducted a systematic literature review and three data analysis projects using different datasets and methods. In the first research project, I used data from the Scottish Mental Health Inpatient and Day Case Scottish Morbidity Record dataset to identify individuals who were 18 years of age or older and admitted with depression, as coded by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 F32– F33, between 2000 and 2019. I subsequently linked this dataset with death records to ascertain the causes of death. To estimate standardised mortality ratios (SMRs), I calculated the person-time at risk for people with severe depression by sex, 5-year age group, and calendar-year group. I estimated SMRs among individuals with severe depression using the whole Scottish population as the standard. To identify gaps in the current research on the relationship between mental illnesses and OHCA, I conducted a systematic review search of studies that looked into this topic, starting from the inception of relevant databases and ending on December 11, 2021, with an update on February 9, 2024. The search objective was to identify observational studies reporting on OHCA incidence, characteristics, or outcomes among individuals with mental illnesses. I and a second reviewer (another PhD student) independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. Both reviewers then independently assessed the full texts of potentially eligible articles against the eligibility criteria and independently conducted the data extraction. Following these initial investigations, I conducted two retrospective cohort studies using OHCA event data to further explore the survival and characteristics of OHCA in individuals with depression in one study and with unscheduled hospital admissions where a mental illness was recorded in the other study. In the first study, I used data from the ARREST (Amsterdam Resuscitation Studies) registry, spanning the period from 2008 to 2018. I extracted relevant comorbidity information, including depression, from patients' general practitioner records. OHCA survival was defined as survival 30 days after the OHCA or hospital discharge. To estimate the association between history of depression and OHCA survival, I used logistic regression modelling. Additionally, I explored the mediating effects of initial heart rhythm and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (bCPR) provision. In the second study, I linked the Scottish Ambulance Services (SAS) OHCA dataset with the Unscheduled Care Data Mart (UCD). The UCD includes patient demographics, mortality data, emergency and urgent care service use across Scotland, and unscheduled hospital admission records to acute and psychiatric hospitals from January 1, 2011 onward. The analysis excluded individuals below 18 years of age, those with traumatic OHCA incidents, and those without community health index numbers. I classified exposed patients based on whether they had a documented history of an unscheduled hospital admission where a mental health illness was recorded (ICD-10 codes F00–F99) or had previously experienced unscheduled psychiatric hospital admissions before the OHCA event. I assessed the association between unscheduled hospital admission record of mental illness and 30-day survival following OHCA using both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models. I performed subgroup analyses to examine this association across some demographic and clinical strata, including age groups, sex, socioeconomic status, year of arrest, and prevalent types of mental illnesses in the study population. Results In the initial study, I found that among 28,808 individuals with severe depression, 27.4% died over a median follow-up of 8.7 years, with all-cause relative mortality being over three times higher than expected. Circulatory diseases were the leading causes of death, with excess mortality particularly pronounced for cerebrovascular disease. Both males and females with severe depression experienced higher all -cause and cause-specific mortality compared to the general population, with deaths from suicide having the highest SMR. For the literature review, the full search yielded 11,380 studies, with 10 meeting inclusion criteria (eight retrospective cohort studies and two nested case-control studies). Three of the included studies focused on depression, while seven encompassed various psychiatric conditions. People with mental illnesses were more likely to have arrests in private residences, unwitnessed arrests, more comorbidities, less bCPR, and non-shockable initial heart rhythms. The few studies that were identified also reported a higher OHCA incidence risk and lower survival rates in people with mental illnesses compared to people without mental illnesses. The analysis of the ARREST dataset included 5,594 OHCA cases, of which 582 individuals had pre-existing depression. These patients exhibited less favourable patient and resuscitation characteristics and lower odds of survival, even after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. Initial heart rhythm and bCPR partially mediated the observed association, but they did not fully account for it. The final study, which used national Scottish data, initially identified 36,775 OHCA patients that were attended by SAS. After excluding those who were not eligible, the study included 30,523 patients with OHCA. Among the included cases, 12.8% had a history of an unscheduled hospital admission where a mental health illness was recorded. Those with a record of a mental illness had substantially lower 30-day survival odds compared to those without. This association persisted across various demographic and clinical subgroups. Conclusion This thesis addresses shortcomings in our understanding of the mortality gap between individuals with and without mental illnesses, particularly focussing on OHCA as a contributing factor. The findings show that patients with depression have higher mortality rates, mainly due to circulatory diseases. A systematic review highlighted the scarcity of research on OHCA among people with mental illnesses. Subsequent studies showed that patients with depression in the Netherlands and those with an unscheduled hospital admission record of mental illness in Scotland had lower OHCA survival rates, regardless of event characteristics or comorbidities. This thesis also discusses common barriers to pre-hospital and mental health research, emphasising the necessity for improved data linkage and comprehensive national datasets. The association between mental illness and lower OHCA survival persisted after adjusting for key OHCA characteristics that could potentially explain the link, suggesting that this association may be independent of these factors. Future research should further investigate the underlying mechanisms to help reduce premature mortality in people with mental illness, including factors not discussed in this thesis, such as the potential impact of psychotropic medications on OHCA incidence and outcomes.12 0Item Restricted Heart disease, health outcomes, and healthcare utilisation among middle-aged and older Australians: a longitudinal study using HILDA survey data(The University of Queensland, 2024) Alkalabi, Meshal; Keramat, Syed AfrozSTUDY 1 ABSTRACT Background Heart disease is a major public health concern globally, with substantial impacts on health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults. Understanding its influence on general health, mental health, self-assessed health, and health satisfaction is crucial for developing effective interventions tailored to this demographic in Australia. The study aims to investigate the longitudinal burden of heart disease on self-reported health outcomes among middle-aged and older Australians, focusing on general health, mental health, self-assessed health, and health satisfaction. Methods This study utilised longitudinal data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, focusing on individuals aged 40 years and older across four survey waves: 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021. The study included 12,751 participants aged 40 and older, with 32,931 observations. Fixed-effects Generalised Least Squares (GLS) and fixed-effects ordered logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between heart disease and four health outcomes. Robustness checks were conducted using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) and random-effect GLS models. The analysis adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioural, and healthrelated variables. Results The results suggest that heart disease was negatively associated with general health, mental health, self-assessed health, and health satisfaction among middle-aged and older Australians. Specifically, participants with heart disease scored lower on general health (β = -4.67, 95% CI: -5.56 to -3.77, p < 0.001), mental health (β = -0.98, 95% CI: -1.84 to -0.12, p = 0.025), self-assessed health (β = -0.76, 95% CI: -0.94 to -0.58, p < 0.001), and health satisfaction (β = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.65 to - 0.35, p < 0.001) compared to those without heart disease. The heterogeneous analysis further revealed that gender differences influenced health outcomes, with females experiencing more pronounced declines across all health measures than males. Additionally, the marginal effects analysis indicated that heart disease reduced the likelihood of achieving the highest levels of self-assessed health and health satisfaction. Conclusion This study found that heart disease is linked to poorer health outcomes, including general health, mental health, self-assessed health, and health satisfaction among middle-aged and older Australians. To enhance the overall well-being of this population, communities, government and nongovernment organisations, and other stakeholders should prioritise routine healthcare prevention, targeted interventions, and treatment strategies, particularly for individuals affected by heart disease.. Keywords: Heart disease; general health; mental health; self-assessed health; health satisfaction STUDY 2 ABSTRACT Background Heart disease poses a significant burden on healthcare systems, particularly among middle-aged and older adults in Australia. Despite existing research on healthcare utilisation patterns, longitudinal studies focusing on how heart disease affects healthcare use over time among older Australians remain limited. The study aims to examine the longitudinal burden of heart disease on healthcare utilisation among middle-aged and older Australians, focusing on the number of doctor visits, hospital admissions, and nights spent in the hospital. Methods This longitudinal observational study utilised data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, covering the years 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021. The study included 12,857 participants aged 40 and older, with 33,822 observations. The primary outcomes were the number of doctor visits, hospital admissions, and nights spent in the hospital. Heart disease status was the main exposure variable, and random-effects negative binomial regression models were used to examine associations, adjusting for socio-demographic, behavioural, and healthcare access factors. Results Participants with heart disease had significantly higher healthcare utilisation across all measures. The rate of doctor visits increased by 24% (IRR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.20–1.28, p < 0.001), while hospital admissions nearly doubled (IRR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.76–2.07, p < 0.001), and nights spent in the hospital were significantly longer (IRR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.75–2.04, p < 0.001) compared to those without heart disease. Older age (≥ 70 years), female sex, multiple chronic conditions, and not being in the labour force were significant predictors of increased healthcare utilisation, indicating a compounded healthcare burden in these subgroups. Conclusion Heart This study shows that middle-aged and older Australians with heart disease have higher healthcare utilisation compared to those without the condition. Heart disease is a significant public health concern that necessitates comprehensive, long-term management strategies focused on prevention. Inadequate management of heart disease could lead to worsening health outcomes and place further strain on the healthcare system. Keywords: Heart disease, healthcare utilisation, longitudinal study, older adults, HILDA survey, doctor visits, hospital admissions, Australia.38 0Item Restricted The therapeutic role of Non-invasive Temporal Interference (TI) stimulation in Traumatic Brain Injury(Imperial College London, 2024) Alkhawajah, Batool; Sastre, Magdalena; Hervas, Laura AbelleiraThe therapeutic role of Non-invasive Temporal Interference (TI) stimulation in Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), characterized by cranial compression leading to neural loss and white matter damage. IT is associated with the development of severe neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Temporal interference (TI) stimulation has emerged as a recent therapeutic modality for severe neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. TI stimulation delivers two frequencies to the brain, generating an electrical field with nuanced frequency differentials, thereby non-invasively targeting specific brain regions. Experimental validation on animal models and healthy subjects has revealed significant improvements in cognitive function following TI stimulation. Recognizing shared pathological mechanisms between TBI and AD, our laboratory has initiated investigations into the potential anti-inflammatory effects of TI stimulation in the context of TBI. A conducted experiment applied TI stimulation targeting the ipsilateral hippocampus in a mild Closed head injury (CHI) model, with a single impact, resulting in observed memory enhancement. However, the cellular and molecular consequences of TI stimulation on the brain remain an unexplored realm. This research project seeks to delineate these changes through various staining techniques targeting Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), microglia, and neurogenesis. Floating brain sections from three distinct groups: CHI-TI, CHI control, and sham were subjected to staining, enabling the quantification of alterations in the hippocampal region and cortex. Our findings unveil that TI stimulation augments activated microglial populations, diminishes astrocyte presence, and exerts no apparent impact on neural proliferation. This scientific endeavour contributes to the elucidation of the neurobiological effects of TI stimulation, paving the way for a deeper understanding of its therapeutic potential in TBIs.17 0Item Restricted The use of social media and its impact on the mental health of the Saudi Arabian community.(Queen’s University Belfast, 2024-09-08) Almabdi, Adel; McLaughlin, DerekAbstract Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a nation with unique cultural, geographical, and economic features, predominantly characterized by a young Muslim population. In recent years, significant modernization and urbanization have influenced Saudis' lifestyles and mental health. Cultural attitudes and economic factors shape these mental health issues, with social media playing a pivotal role in societal interactions and mental well-being. Objectives: This study systematically reviewed the current peer-reviewed literature on the impact of social media on the mental health of the Saudi Arabian community. The goal was to synthesize key findings on both the positive and negative effects of social media use, offering insights for individuals, educators, policymakers, and healthcare systems to encourage healthier technology usage and enhance mental healthcare access. Search Strategy: A systematic search was conducted using keywords and Boolean operators across MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed literature. The inclusion criteria focused on articles published between 2018 and 2024, written in English, and conducted in Saudi Arabia, specifically cross-sectional studies. Results: Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were critically assessed using the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS). The studies were generally of acceptable quality, with well-defined research questions and appropriate methodologies. The findings were categorized into seven themes: prevalence of mental health issues, social media addiction and psychological distress, gender disparities, impact on adolescents, misinformation, the complex relationship with well-being, and family dynamics within the cultural context. Conclusion: This review highlighted that while social media fosters communication and information sharing, it also correlates with addiction, psychological distress, and misinformation. High rates of mental health issues, particularly among healthcare professionals and adolescents, underscore the need for targeted interventions and policies. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and interdisciplinary collaborations to effectively understand and address these impacts.20 0Item Restricted Assessing Wellbeing and Student Achievement During COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia(Flinders University, 2042-10) Alharthi, Shatha; Skrzypiec, GraceThe COVID-19 pandemic during 2020-2021 resulted in unprecedented school closures and prolonged remote learning for Saudi Arabian students with unknown consequences at the time for perceived academic performance, mental health, and wellbeing. Prior research had suggested that reduced social interaction could negatively affect wellbeing and contribute to impaired mental health (e.g., depression and anxiety), while also resulting in lower academic performance. However, little was known about the direct impact of the pandemic on academic outcomes and mental health of middle school students in the Saudi Arabian context, particularly during extended periods of remote learning while facing social and educational challenges stemming from the worldwide crisis. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used to investigate this gap in knowledge by exploring the association between middle school students’ perceived academic achievement and their levels of wellbeing, depression, and anxiety during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the two-phase study design, an online survey was used to collect quantitative data from 401 Saudi male and female middle school students aged 11-18 in Mecca and Taif cities, KSA. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on student wellbeing questionnaires, informed by procedures from a global study conducted by the Global Research Alliance (GRA), enquired about students’ self-perceived academic achievement, wellbeing levels, mental health status, and other essential factors such as demographic information, socioeconomic status, and frequency of activities during the lockdown. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with eight Saudi female students from the same population, to delve deeply into adolescents’ experiences, perceptions, and insights related to their experiences in lockdown. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using Mplus was the primary data analysis procedure used to test the relationships between the identified factors of self-perceived academic achievement. Results from the SEM revealed that variations in self-perceived academic achievement were significantly associated with wellbeing, gender, and socioeconomic status. Unexpectedly, depression, anxiety, the amount of schoolwork, and age did not exert a definitive impact on perceived academic achievement. Over half of the students perceived their performance during the lockdown as better than their peers, and they demonstrated adaptability, either maintaining or improving their academic performance amidst challenging circumstances. The study found that students’ mental health and wellbeing were largely protected, which was attributed to strong family support, religious practices, and adaptability within a supportive home environment. While most students did not show enduring signs of depression or anxiety, specific subgroups faced distress during the lockdown. Challenges related to remote learning, such as internet connectivity issues and online education platform quality, were evident; however, students exhibited coping in overcoming these obstacles to a significant extent. The study findings underscore the significance of promoting family support, religious involvement, and educational readiness within the Saudi education framework to enhance student wellbeing and academic achievement during school closures. The findings advocate for enhancing the preparedness of education systems for future disruptions to in-person, classroom learning. Recommendations include investing in high-quality online education platforms, enhancing teacher training for online instruction, and engaging families to support students in lockdown. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the lasting impacts of pandemic-driven disruptions on student wellbeing and academic performance, as well as on understanding students’ coping mechanisms during educational crises.21 0Item Restricted Test Anxiety: A Comparative Study of Post-Graduate Taught Students in the UK and Saudi Arabia(University of Glasgow, 2024) Alshammari, Wafa; Swingler, Maxine; Biello, Stephany; Elliot, DelyTest anxiety (TA) is a multifaceted concept that has led to the development of numerous micro-level theories to elucidate its nature. However, only a handful have employed mid-level theories to comprehend TA in cross-cultural scenarios. This research endeavours to adapt the bioecological and biopsychosocial theories in a framework to discern the variations in TA experiences among students across different cultures and educational settings. To realize this aim, the study outlines three objectives: (i) to define, differentiate, and categorize TA, (ii) to examine the factors influencing TA, and (iii) to investigate the coping mechanisms that might mitigate the effects of TA across diverse cultural settings. These objectives are addressed through a series of three complementary studies: a systematic review, seeking to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives and encompassing 81 papers from 2000 to 2019 based on the PRISMA method, a quantitative survey (N = 429), and qualitative interviews (N = 15). The latter two phases focused on four distinct groups, comprising local Saudi students, local British students and European and Eastern international students studying in the UK. The research yielded several key findings. First, TA is more prevalent among all studied groups in the UK than in Saudi Arabia . Second, exosystem and mesosystem factors make the British education system more conducive to TA, while macrosystem and microsystem factors result in a more nuanced experience for Saudi and Eastern students . Third, contrary to popular belief and the existing literature, holding that coursework induces less TA than conventional examinations, this study demonstrates that the characteristics of coursework, such as the number of deadlines, uncertainty about the requirements, lack of familiarity with assessment type, perceived inability to secure full marks, and long duration of stress, can intensify TA. Responses to these factors are heavily influenced by cultural norms and students’ individual backgrounds . There is an interplay between coping mechanisms, cultural values (which might encourage procrastination), and the education system (coursework vs conventional examinations). Coping strategies vary across cultures, influenced by distinct cultural values and the education system. In addition, seeking psychological counselling for TA can be hindered by perceived barriers, namely cultural factors and lack of awareness. The academic implications drawn from this study are twofold: (i) while bioecological/biopsychosocial theory aptly describes TA across varied cultural contexts, it is crucial to recognize the proactive roles of individuals and the variance in cultural values, which can shape reactions and attitudes to TA; (ii) TA, coping strategies, and academic factors are intricately connected and are complex, warranting exploration from multi-level perspectives . From a professional standpoint, this research offers several insights. First, stakeholders, including universities, employers, and the public, should reconsider the values underpinning the nexus between students' social standing, career trajectories, and their evaluations. Second, UK academic institutions should implement policies ensuring that assessments prioritize mental well-being. Third, Saudi and Eastern universities need to expand their awareness campaigns, targeting not only their student body but also families and the broader community to combat competitiveness and the culture of high expectations.14 0Item Restricted DUAL BURDEN: HCV ANTIBODY POSITIVITY AND DEPRESSION DIAGNOSIS IN UNITED STATES ADULTS(New York University, 2024-06-24) Alserhani, Asma; Coyle, ChristianaBackground: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and depression are significant public health concerns, with previous studies suggesting a complex relationship between the two conditions. This study aimed to investigate the association between HCV infection and depression among U.S. adults using a nationally representative sample. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2020. The study included 8,443 participants aged 18 years and above who completed the depression screening questionnaire and underwent HCV testing. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and HCV infection was determined by the presence of HCV RNA. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between HCV infection and depression while adjusting for potential confounders. Results: In the bivariate analysis, HCV-positive individuals had a significantly higher prevalence of depression compared to HCV-negative individuals. However, after adjusting for potential confounders in the multivariable analysis, the association between HCV status and depression was no longer statistically significant. Age, marital status, and smoking status emerged as significant predictors of depression in the adjusted model. Conclusion: This study found a significant association between HCV infection and depression in the bivariate analysis, but this relationship was attenuated after adjusting for potential confounders. The findings highlight the importance of considering multiple risk factors when assessing the mental health of individuals with HCV infection and underscore the need for targeted interventions to prevent and treat depression in high-risk groups.21 0Item Restricted Experiences of Mental Health Recovery in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(University of Technology Sydney, 2024-07-11) Hawsawi, Tahani; Wilson, Amanda; Appleton, JessicaThis thesis explores mental health recovery in Saudi Arabia from the perspectives of consumers, carers, and nurses. Using an exploratory descriptive qualitative design informed by social constructionism, the study involved semi-structured interviews with 16 consumers, 10 carers, and 8 nurses. Thematic analysis revealed that consumers view recovery as a transformative process, emphasising self-help and social support while facing barriers such as stigma and poor interpersonal skills. Carers highlighted the importance of the bond between carers and consumers, advocating for co-designed care planning. Nurses defined recovery primarily in terms of clinical improvements, recognising both biomedical and therapeutic approaches as facilitators. Common themes across all groups included the conceptualisation of recovery as a transformative journey requiring hope and determination, the significance of interpersonal skills, and the impact of stigma as a barrier. This study found that mental health recovery in Saudi Arabia is socially constructed and influenced by cultural norms and community interactions. The findings suggest that effective recovery-oriented practice in Saudi Arabia requires a shift from the dominant biomedical model towards a more holistic, culturally sensitive approach that integrates consumers' and carers' perspectives and emphasises consumer-centred, trauma-informed care.62 0