Mental Health Nurses' Perspectives on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective intervention for promoting personal recovery among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia; however, Saudi Arabia has a shortage of healthcare professionals trained to deliver it. Mental health nurses are well positioned to help address this gap. This study explored mental health nurses' perspectives on a proposed culturally adapted CBT intervention for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and identified perceived barriers and facilitators to its implementation.

METHODS

Situated within the development phase of the Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions, the study examined perceived acceptability and anticipated feasibility rather than efficacy. Three face-to-face focus groups involving 19 mental health nurses were conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 at a tertiary mental health hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus group questions were informed by a systematic review of culturally adapted CBT components, and data were analysed using framework analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged: acceptability, with nurses recognising the value of CBT in promoting recovery; barriers, including lack of role clarity within mental health nursing policy, dominance of the medical model, and engagement difficulties among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia; and facilitators, including supportive nursing management, training opportunities, and family involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health nurses expressed support for delivering CBT but identified organisational and training-related barriers. Successful implementation will require clear policy frameworks, structured culturally adapted CBT training, ongoing clinical supervision, supportive nursing management, and collaborative approaches that appropriately involve families.