The Relationship Between Moral Sensitivity and Anxiety Sensitivity in Nursing Students of Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Moral sensitivity is the ability to recognize moral conflicts and consequences in decisions, and anxiety sensitivity is a structure of individual differences, in which a person fears physical symptoms associated with anxiety arousal. Anxiety sensitivity is vital in the persistence of anxiety disorders. This study was done to determine the relationship between moral sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity in nursing students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This research was descriptive-correlational. The samples included 336 nursing students in all grades at Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences in 2020. Sampling was performed continuously using virtual space. In this research, the demographic information form, Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16 and analytical and descriptive tests, such as Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The score of moral sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity was obtained as 81 and 31.4, respectively. The correlation coefficient between moral sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity was not statistically significant (r=0.065; P=0.238). Also, the two components of fear of physical concerns had a significant relationship with the dimensions of benevolence and honesty. Conclusion: Considering that the lack of interest in the nursing field increases anxiety sensitivity, it is suggested to activities be done to improve interest in nursing among students. Despite the lack of a significant relationship between these two components, the importance of these two components should not be neglected and it is better to carry out studies to better understand the factors affecting moral sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity and to improve these two components.