EXPLORATION OF NURSING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES IN MANAGING PERIOPERATIVE ANXIETY IN ADULT PATIENTS

Abstract

Perioperative anxiety is a common emotional response among adult surgical patients and has been associated with longer recovery times, increased postoperative pain, and reduced patient satisfaction. Nurses, as the primary caregivers throughout the surgical journey, play a central role in helping patients manage this anxiety through emotional support, education, and therapeutic presence. Although previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of interventions such as psychoeducation and relaxation therapy, limited research has explored how nurses themselves perceive, assess, and manage perioperative anxiety in their daily practice, particularly within the Saudi healthcare context. This qualitative interpretive study aimed to explore perioperative nurses’ knowledge, experiences, and practices in managing anxiety among adult surgical patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Guided by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the study emphasised holistic and empathetic care as a foundation for understanding how nurses support anxious patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine registered nurses to examine how caring principles are reflected in their approaches to recognising and alleviating perioperative anxiety. The findings revealed that nurses view anxiety as a natural and universal human experience rather than a pathological condition. They identified anxiety through physiological and behavioural signs and managed it using reassurance, patient education, and spiritual and cultural support. These caring actions reflected Watson’s caritas processes, such as sustaining faith and hope, building trust, and creating a supportive healing environment. However, systemic barriers, including staff shortages, time constraints, lack of training, and the absence of formal institutional guidelines, restricted nurses’ ability to provide consistent holistic care. The study concludes that while nurses demonstrate a moral and cultural commitment to alleviating anxiety, organisational and educational gaps limit the full application of caring principles in perioperative settings. Integrating Watson’s theory into education, policy, and practice can bridge this gap and promote human-centred care. Future research should incorporate patients’ perspectives and evaluate the effectiveness of caring-based interventions across cultural contexts to strengthen the quality of perioperative nursing care and reaffirm nursing’s essential role in creating safe, compassionate, and healing surgical experiences