Alsaqer, KhitamAlruwaili, Ishraq Khurais Dhafi2025-09-242025‏Al-Ruwaili, I. K. D. (2025). The relationship between facial emotion recognition ability and Saudi nurses’ professional self-concept: A cross-sectional study (Master’s thesis, Zarqa University).https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/76472‏This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between facial emotion recognition (FER) and professional self-concept (PSC) among 177 Saudi nurses in two governmental hospitals. FER was assessed using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and PSC with the Nurses’ Self-Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ). Results indicated relatively high FER and moderate PSC, with a significant positive correlation between them (p < 0.001). Gender and FER emerged as significant predictors of PSC. The findings highlight the importance of FER in strengthening nurses’ professional identity and leadership potential.Background: Facial emotion recognition (FER) is a crucial component of emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness in healthcare. Professional self-concept (PSC), representing a nurses' perception of their professional identity and competence, significantly impacts job satisfaction, resilience, and leadership behavior. Aim: To examine the relationship between facial emotion recognition ability and professional self-concept among Saudi nurses. XII Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in two governmental hospitals in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 177 nurse completed an online questionnaire. FER ability was measured using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and PSC was assessed using the Nurses' Self-Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Simple linear regression analysis. Results: The results of the study showed a relatively high level of facial emotion recognition ability with a total score of (24.43). The level of professional self- concept among nurse was moderate and tended to increase with a total score of (192.59). The results showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between facial emotion recognition ability and nurse professional self-concept at a statistical significance level of 0.001. Finally, results of the study showed that facial emotion recognition ability is the only predictor of nurses’ awareness of Professional Self-Concept at the statistical significance level (0.001). The analysis shows that among the factors studied, only gender and facial emotion recognition ability were significant predictors of professional self-concept for Saudi nurses. XIII Conclusion: The study revealed a significant positive relationship between facial emotion recognition ability and professional self-concept among nurses in government hospitals in northern Saudi Arabia. Facial emotion recognition emerged as the strongest predictor of professional self-concept. Keywords: Facial emotion recognition, Self-concept, Nurses, Emotion, Saudi Arabia139enKeywords: Facial emotion recognitionSelf-conceptNursesEmotionSaudi ArabiaThesis