Abdulmajeed Zarbah

@imam abdulrahman bin faisal university

IAU,medicine,psychiatry
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

Abdulmajeed Zarbah


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https://researchid.co/abdulmajeedzarbah
7

Scopus Publications

131

Scholar Citations

5

Scholar h-index

2

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Validity of distress thermometer for caregivers of cancer patients in Saudi Arabia
    Muneera A. AlKhorayef, Manal M. AlJurbua, Nouf A. AlHussaini, Reema A. AlMasoud, Ajeed M. Al Rashoud, Abdulillah M. Al Rashoud, Abdulmajeed A. Zarbah, Fahad D. Alosaimi
    Plos One, 2026
    Background Caregivers of cancer patients often face high levels of psychological distress, yet routine screening in clinical settings remains limited. The Distress Thermometer (DT) offers a brief and practical tool for identifying distress; however, its use among caregivers in Saudi Arabia has not been well studied. This study aims to validate the Arabic version of the DT in this population, determine its optimal cutoff scores, and explore associations with anxiety, depression, and demographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), enrolling 275 caregivers. Participants completed the Arabic versions of the DT and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the DT’s predictive validity for anxiety and depression, while multivariable regression identified predictors of distress. Results Clinically significant distress (DT ≥ 5) was reported by 44% of caregivers. Anxiety symptoms were present in 24%, and depression in 25%. DT scores were strongly correlated with HADS total (ρ = 0.618), HADS-anxiety (ρ = 0.537), and HADS-depression (ρ = 0.562) scores (all p < 0.001). The DT demonstrated excellent predictive validity, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.816 for anxiety and 0.818 for depression. The optimal cutoff scores were ≥5.5 and ≥6.5 for anxiety and depression, respectively. Female caregivers and those supporting patients with advanced-stage cancer reported significantly higher distress. Conclusion The Arabic version of the DT is a valid and practical tool for identifying psychological distress among cancer caregivers in Saudi Arabia. Its brevity makes it suitable for routine clinical use. Further research is necessary to develop effective distress screening and intervention programs, particularly for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, to ensure timely psychological support.
  • Prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder and its association with social media use among high school students in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia
    Abdulaziz Muflih Abudasser, Abdulaziz Mohammad Al-Garni, H.S. Alamri, Waddah Alalmaei Asiri, Abdulmajeed A. Zarbah, Amal Saad Alshahrani, Fatima Ahmed Badawi, Ghaidaa Abdulrahman Alqahtani, Osama Ayed Saleh Asiri, Hanan Delem Almoghamer, Abdulelah Nasser Shaya Alghaeb, Bandar Musharraf A. Alamri, Khaled Mohammed Hasan Asiri
    Medicine United States, 2026
    This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and to explore its association with social media usage among high school students in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the selected public high schools in Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from March 12, 2023 to March 17, 2023. A total of 346 (36%) students were worried about how their look. The most areas of concern included their nose shape and size (26.7%), having acne (19.1%), abdomen shape (18.6%), and their weight (18.2%). Female students showed 3.5 times more likelihood for perceived BDD than males (OR = 3.52; 95% CI: 2.13–5.83), while non-Saudi showed 74% more likelihood for perceived BDD than Saudi students (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02–2.99). BDD is common in Saudi Arabia. Certain demographics were associated with BDD in our study such as female gender and non-Saudi Arabian nationality. The results emphasize the need for safe social networking, particularly among teenagers, and for public education about the dangers of borderline personality disorder and its effects.
  • Integrated Wellness Needs of Saudi University Students: Mental Health as a Key Determinant of Lifestyle and Quality of Life
    Faris Alzahrani, Abdulmajid Zarbah, Abdullah Asiri, Ashwag Asiri, Sarah Alzahrani, Aram Alqathradi, Hasan Korairi, Ali Alshahrani, Mohamed Aliessa
    Psychiatry International, 2025
    The transition to university is a critical period for establishing lifelong health habits, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where non-communicable diseases linked to lifestyle are increasingly prevalent. To address this, our study sought to comprehensively assess lifestyle behaviors, mental health status, and their combined impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among students at King Khalid University. We conducted a cross-sectional study between September 2024 and February 2025, recruiting 865 undergraduates via a two-stage stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated online questionnaire that included the FANTASTIC lifestyle and EuroQol 5-Dimension 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) instruments. Our study population exhibited a significant health burden; 37.6% were overweight or obese, 55.9% reported anxiety or depression, and 36.1% experienced pain or discomfort. Although the mean lifestyle score was generally positive, regression analysis revealed that anxiety/depression was the strongest predictor of a poorer lifestyle (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 2.02–4.28). This study concludes that a profound negative association exists between mental health, lifestyle, and overall HRQoL, highlighting the urgent need for integrated wellness policies and support systems within the university setting to address these interconnected challenges.
  • Prevalence of internalized stigma in patients with psychiatric illness in Abha, Southern Region, Saudi Arabia
    Abdulmajeed A. Zarbah, Hayfa A. Al Alfard, Hassan S. Alamri, Nada Al Edrees, Nouf S. Alshahrani, Ali F. Alshehri
    Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 2023
    BACKGROUND: Mental stigma occurs when patients with various mental disorders are labeled by their disorders. Little is known about the burden of mental stigma on patients with mental disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of mental stigma on patients with psychiatric disorder in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among previously diagnosed patients with any psychiatric disorder attending King Khalid Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia. The patients were interviewed with a sociodemographic questionnaire and a validated Arabic version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-29) scale. Chi-square test and t-test were used to assess the association between various demographic characteristics and presence of stigma. RESULTS: The study included 489 patients with different psychiatric disorders. The mean age of the participants was 32.8 years and 54.6% were females. About 39% participants showed no to minimal internalized stigma, 37.4% of total sample had mild stigma, 20% had moderate stigma, and 3.7% had severe stigma. A signficantly higher proportion (71.4%) of widowed patients had stigma (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Self-stigma is prevalent among patients with psychiatric disorders in Abha, Saudi Arabia, but lower than the prevalence in developing countries. Marital status has a significant impact on the prevalence and severity of the self-stigma of patients. There is a need for awareness program to reduce self-stigma. Psychiatric institutions should also focus on promotion of patients’ social life and increase patient’s awareness of certain issues that could prevent stigma.
  • First Episode Psychosis due to COVID-19: Case Report in Saudi Arabia
    Bahrain Medical Bulletin, 2022
  • Prevalence and factors associated with mental health problems in Saudi general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Faris Alzahrani, Najim Z. Alshahrani, Abdulelah Abu Sabah, Abdulmajid Zarbah, Saeed Abu Sabah, Mohammed A. Mamun
    Psych Journal, 2022
    This systematic review and meta‐analysis generates evidence of the prevalence and associated factors of common mental disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) related to the pandemic among the Saudi general population. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was performed in the respective databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), from 22 July to 17 August 2021, and identified a total of 220 articles. Adhering to the inclusion criteria (i.e., original research concerning the prevalence and/or associated factors of depression and/or anxiety and/or stress disorders among the general Saudi population, published in English peer‐reviewed journals), 15 studies were included in this review which consisted of a total of 262,656 participants. The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22% to 38%, I2 = 99.58%), 20% (95% CI: 16% to 24%, I2 = 99.32%), and 29% (95% CI: 11% to 47%, I2 = 99.76%), respectively. Risk factors of mental health problems were found to be female sex, younger age group, single/divorced marital status, lower education, lower income, non‐Saudis, unemployment status, students, being in a small family and living with elderly of the sociodemographic factors. Smokers, less physical activities, lower resilience, reduced immune status, chronic health problems, and psychiatric illness history were associated with a higher degree of mental health problems. In addition, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related risk factors of mental illness included lack of knowledge, fear, worry and concern, family member or friends’ infection or death, lockdown restrictions, quarantine, confirmed or suspected of COVID‐19 infection, and even pandemic effects. In conclusion, appropriate mental health preventive approaches for the Saudi general people are highly needed, where this review can be worthy of help by providing in detailed information to the respective authorities.
  • Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward Alzheimer’s disease in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia
    Adel Ali Alhazzani, Ali Mohammed Alqahtani, Mohammed Saeed Alqahtani, Tariq Mohammed Alahmari, Abdulmajeed Abdullah Zarbah
    Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 2020
    BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major public health problem and represents commonest form of dementia that affects many aspects of brain functions and contributes to 60–70% of dementia cases. No study has been conducted in Saudi Arabia to measure the prevalence of AD. However, approximately there are at least 50,000 patients in Saudi Arabia based on an expert’s estimation.Public knowledge and awareness about Alzheimer’s disease are crucial for early diagnosis and management.ObjectiveTo investigate the public’s knowledge and attitudes toward Alzheimer’s disease in Aseer region.Subject and methodsCross-sectional study has employed an electronic online, semi-structured, and self-administered questionnaire, randomly distributed among participants. The questions included sociodemographics, attitudes, and knowledge panels toward Alzheimer’s disease based on Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS).ResultsThe study included 1374 participants with a mean age 33 ± 11 years (ages18–70). The majority of the participants (77%) had no family history with Alzheimer’s disease. Less than 50% of the questions were answered correctly and the mean knowledge score was 10.77 ± 5.11. The results revealed that young-aged participants, females, and those having a family history of the disease, have significantly (P< 0.05) better AD-related knowledge.ConclusionThe study revealed an inadequate AD-related knowledge as indicated by the low mean knowledge score. However, participants have demonstrated a positive attitude toward AD patients. More educational programs are required to enhance their awareness and knowledge about AD.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Validity of distress thermometer for caregivers of cancer patients in Saudi Arabia
    MA AlKhorayef, MM AlJurbua, NA AlHussaini, RA AlMasoud, ...
    Plos one 21 (3), e0344441 , 2026
    2026
  • Prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder and its association with social media use among high school students in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia
    AM Abudasser, AM Al-Garni, HS Alamri, WA Asiri, AA Zarbah, ...
    Medicine 105 (9), e47815 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Integrated wellness needs of Saudi university students: mental health as a key determinant of lifestyle and quality of life
    F Alzahrani, A Zarbah, A Asiri, A Asiri, S Alzahrani, A Alqathradi, H Korairi, ...
    Psychiatry International 6 (3), 106 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Prevalence of internalized stigma in patients with psychiatric illness in Abha, Southern Region, Saudi Arabia
    AA Zarbah, HA Al Alfard, HS Alamri, N Al Edrees, NS Alshahrani, ...
    Journal of Family and Community Medicine 30 (2), 103-108 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 5
  • First Episode Psychosis due to COVID-19: Case Report in Saudi Arabia
    A Zarbah, N AlMuhanna, A Alsheheri, A AlMuhanna
    Bahrain Medical Bulletin 44 (4) , 2022
    2022
  • Prevalence and factors associated with mental health problems in S audi general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
    F Alzahrani, NZ Alshahrani, A Abu Sabah, A Zarbah, S Abu Sabah, ...
    PsyCh journal 11 (1), 18-29 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 60
  • Comparative assessment of burnout syndrome in medical and dental senior undergraduate students
    Z Mohammad, A Khalaf, A Mohammed, A Ali, Z Abdulmajeed, Z Moayad
    Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) 48, 203-207 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 3
  • Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward Alzheimer’s disease in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia
    AA Alhazzani, AM Alqahtani, MS Alqahtani, TM Alahmari, AA Zarbah
    The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery 56 (1), 81 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 47
  • Prevalence of pregabalin (Lyrica) abuse among healthcare professionals in Asser Province Saudi Arabia
    S Alsubaie, A Zarbah, A Alqahtani, AS Abdullah, NS Aledrees
    Int. J. Ment. Health Psychiatry 6, 2 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 8
  • Prevalence of pregabalin abuse among healthcare professionals in asser province Saudi Arabia
    S Alsubaie, A Zarbah, AA Saeed, A Abdullah, N Aledrees, W Alshehri, ...
    EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY 56, S24-S24 , 2019
    2019
  • Public awareness, knowledge and attitude toward Alzheimer’s disease in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia-community based cross sectional study (P3. 096)
    A Alqahtani, M Alqahtani, A Zarbah, T ALAhmari, A Alhazzani
    Neurology 88 (16_supplement), P3. 096 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 6

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Prevalence and factors associated with mental health problems in S audi general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
    F Alzahrani, NZ Alshahrani, A Abu Sabah, A Zarbah, S Abu Sabah, ...
    PsyCh journal 11 (1), 18-29 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 60
  • Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward Alzheimer’s disease in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia
    AA Alhazzani, AM Alqahtani, MS Alqahtani, TM Alahmari, AA Zarbah
    The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery 56 (1), 81 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 47
  • Prevalence of pregabalin (Lyrica) abuse among healthcare professionals in Asser Province Saudi Arabia
    S Alsubaie, A Zarbah, A Alqahtani, AS Abdullah, NS Aledrees
    Int. J. Ment. Health Psychiatry 6, 2 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 8
  • Public awareness, knowledge and attitude toward Alzheimer’s disease in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia-community based cross sectional study (P3. 096)
    A Alqahtani, M Alqahtani, A Zarbah, T ALAhmari, A Alhazzani
    Neurology 88 (16_supplement), P3. 096 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 6
  • Prevalence of internalized stigma in patients with psychiatric illness in Abha, Southern Region, Saudi Arabia
    AA Zarbah, HA Al Alfard, HS Alamri, N Al Edrees, NS Alshahrani, ...
    Journal of Family and Community Medicine 30 (2), 103-108 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 5
  • Comparative assessment of burnout syndrome in medical and dental senior undergraduate students
    Z Mohammad, A Khalaf, A Mohammed, A Ali, Z Abdulmajeed, Z Moayad
    Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) 48, 203-207 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 3
  • Prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder and its association with social media use among high school students in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia
    AM Abudasser, AM Al-Garni, HS Alamri, WA Asiri, AA Zarbah, ...
    Medicine 105 (9), e47815 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Integrated wellness needs of Saudi university students: mental health as a key determinant of lifestyle and quality of life
    F Alzahrani, A Zarbah, A Asiri, A Asiri, S Alzahrani, A Alqathradi, H Korairi, ...
    Psychiatry International 6 (3), 106 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Validity of distress thermometer for caregivers of cancer patients in Saudi Arabia
    MA AlKhorayef, MM AlJurbua, NA AlHussaini, RA AlMasoud, ...
    Plos one 21 (3), e0344441 , 2026
    2026
  • First Episode Psychosis due to COVID-19: Case Report in Saudi Arabia
    A Zarbah, N AlMuhanna, A Alsheheri, A AlMuhanna
    Bahrain Medical Bulletin 44 (4) , 2022
    2022
  • Prevalence of pregabalin abuse among healthcare professionals in asser province Saudi Arabia
    S Alsubaie, A Zarbah, AA Saeed, A Abdullah, N Aledrees, W Alshehri, ...
    EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY 56, S24-S24 , 2019
    2019