Moral Sensitivity Of Nurses Research Articles

Moral Distress and Moral Resilience of Health Professionals in a Greek Public Hospital during the Second Wave of Pandemic

Moral distress is the situation in which nurses know the moral principles that should guide their actions but are not allowed by the constraints of the health system. Moral sensitivity is the ability of nurses to perceive the moral dimensions of certain situations or actions. Safe care is a range of services provided to patients by nurses and consequently nurses with the aim of monitoring, promoting, maintaining or restoring the health of patients. Moral distress negatively affects safe health care, and moral sensitivity is the solution to moral distress. This study investigates the relationship between both moral distress and moral sensitivity of nurses with safe nursing care. A total of 163 nurses from a General Greek Hospital participated in the research. The protocol included the Moral Resilience (RMRS), Moral Distress (MMD-HP) and Moral Sensitivity Control (Byrd's NEST) scales. For the RMRS scale, higher scores are recorded for the moral efficacy dimension. Moderate scores are recorded for the MMD-HP scale, so nurses are characterized by moderate moral sensitivity. None of the nurses had left or considered leaving the clinic due to moral distress, up to the time of the present study. Health professionals based on Byrd's NEST scale are characterized by moderate moral sensitivity. The greater the integrity of the relationships, the greater the reactions to moral adversity. The greater the moral distress, or the better the perceptions of the security offered by management, the greater nurses’ personal integrity. As relational integrity or distress decreased, moral efficacy increased. The higher the moral distress of the nurses, the greater the integrity of the relationships. Nurses who had children also felt more secure about working conditions than those who did not. The greater the dynamics of the clinic, the less reactions to moral adversity. Finally, greater moral deadlock was associated with both greater personal integrity and greater relational integrity, and less moral efficacy. Increased moral sensitivity prevents the occurrence of moral distress and has a positive effect on the provision of safe health care.

The effect and comparison of training in ethical decision-making through lectures and group discussions on moral reasoning, moral distress and moral sensitivity in nurses: a clinical randomized controlled trial

BackgroundEthical decision‑making and behavior of nurses are major factors that can affect the quality of nursing care. Moral development of nurses to making better ethical decision-making is an essential element for managing the care process. The main aim of this study was to examine and comparison the effect of training in ethical decision-making through lectures and group discussions on nurses’ moral reasoning, moral distress and moral sensitivity.MethodsIn this randomized clinical trial study with a pre- and post-test design, 66 nurses with moral reasoning scores lower than the average of the community were randomly assigned into three equal groups (n = 22) including two experimental groups and one control group. Ethical decision-making training to experimental groups was provided through the lectures and group discussions. While, the control group did not receive any training. Data were collected using sociodemographic questionnaire, the nursing dilemma test (NDT), the moral distress scale (MDS) and the moral sensitivity questionnaire (MSQ). Unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression analysis was reported using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsAdjusted regression analysis showed that the probability of increasing the nursing principle thinking (NPT) score through discussion training was significantly higher than lecture (OR: 13.078, 95% CI: 3.238–15.954, P = 0.008), as well as lecture (OR: 14.329, 95% CI: 16.171–2.005, P < 0.001) and discussion groups compared to the control group (OR: 18.01, 95% CI: 22.15–5.834, P < 0.001). The possibility of increasing moral sensitivity score through discussion training was significantly higher than lecture (OR: 10.874, 95%CI: 6.043–12.886, P = 0.005) and control group (OR: 13.077, 95%CI: 8.454–16.774, P = 0.002). Moreover, the moral distress score was significantly reduced only in the trained group compared to the control, and no significant difference was observed between the experimental groups; lecture group vs. control group (OR: 0.105, 95% CI: 0.015–0.717, P = 0.021) and discussion group vs. control group (OR: 0.089, 95% CI: 0.015–0.547, P = 0.009).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that ethical decision-making training is effective on empowerment of ethical reasoning. Whereas the group discussion was also effective on increasing the ethical sensitivity, it is recommended the training plan provided in this study to be held as workshop for all nurses in health and treatment centers and placed in curricular plan of nursing students.RegistrationThis randomized clinical trial was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under code (IRCT2015122116163N5) in 02/07/2016.

Relationship between moral sensitivity of nurses and quality of nursing care for patients with COVID-19.

This study aimed to: (1) assess the level of moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of nursing care for patients with COVID-19 in Iran; and (2) identify the relationship between the moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of nursing care for patients with COVID-19 in Iran. This study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational research. A total of 211 nurses working in four hospitals affiliated with the HamadanUniversity of Medical Sciences in Iran from December 2021 to April 2022 were selected via the stratified proportional random sampling method. Demographic information, a moral sensitivity questionnaire, and the Good Nursing Care Scale were used for data collection. The data were analysed by SPSS 24 based on descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression). Results revealed that 188 of the nurses (89.1%) had a moderate level of moral sensitivity. Furthermore, 160 of the participants (75.8%) reported a relatively low level of the quality of nursing care. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient test indicated that there was an inverse and significant relationship between the moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of nursing care (r = -0.528, p < 0.001). The results of multiple regression indicated that the model of moral sensitivity components explained 27.9% of the variance in the quality of nursing care. The components of moral sensitivity, including relation (β = -0.246, p < 0.001), meaning (β = -0.188, p = 0.003), conflict (β = -0.170, p = 0.008), benevolence (β = -0.153, p = 0.012), and rules (β = -0.144, p = 0.019) had inverse and significant effects on the quality of nursing care. Since higher mean scores of moral sensitivity reflect lower moral sensitivity, it can be stated that with the increase in moral sensitivity of nurses, the quality of nursing care for patients with COVID-19 grows.

Effective interventions for improvement of moral sensitivity among nurses: A systematic review

This study was conducted to assess the characteristics and effectiveness of interventions for the improvement of moral sensitivity among nurses. A systematic search was conducted on international databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, as well as Persian databases including Magiran, Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database using keywords including moral sensitivity, ethical sensitivity, nurses, and registered nurses from the inception to December 18, 2021. Experimental studies published in Persian and English focusing on effective interventions for the improvement of moral sensitivity among nurses were included. The standard of the studies that qualified for inclusion was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical assessment criteria. A total of 520 nurses were enrolled in eight studies. Of the nurses, 78.37% were female and 55% were in the intervention group. The mean age of participants was 34.74 (SD=5.65) years. Mean study duration, intervention, and follow-up were 10.38, 5.59, and 7.20 weeks, respectively. Seven educational interventions including "nursing ethics workshop" (two studies), "nursing ethics workshop using narration and lecture", "Moral sensitivity workshop", "ethical motivational educational program”, "virtual narrative ethics workshop", and "empowerment educational program", improved moral sensitivity in nurses. However, the "nursing ethics workshop using seminar" was not effective in the management of moral sensitivity in nurses. The evidence for the positive effects of educational interventions on nurses' moral sensitivity was sparse but encouraging. However, there is a need for further studies to confirm the effectiveness of these interventions on nurses' moral sensitivity.

Effects of Professional Ethics Training on Moral Distress and Moral Sensitivity of Nurses in the COVID-19 and Emergency Departments of Razi Hospital in Saravan, Iran in 2022

Background and Objectives: Nurses face many ethical issues daily, and knowing professional ethics can help them make ethical decisions. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the effects of professional ethics training on moral distress and moral sensitivity in nurses. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 nurses who were working in the emergency and COVID-19 wards of Razi Saravan Hospital in 2022 were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, the nurses of the COVID-19 ward were influenced by professional ethics training for one month. The level of moral distress and moral sensitivity was measured by the Corley and Latzen standard questionnaire after 2 weeks. The data were then analyzed by SPSS software, version 23. Results: To compare the average scores of moral distress and moral sensitivity of nurses between the two tests and the control group before and after the intervention, the analysis of the covariance statistical test was used. By controlling the pre-test variable, the average scores of moral distress and moral sensitivity after the intervention were significantly different between the two tests and the control group (P&lt;0.001).

Written and computer simulation on the moral sensitivity of nurses.

Background: Moral sensitivity is the first step towards ethical decision-making. This sensitivity should form a basic attitude in healthcare team members, particularly nurses, toward providing effective and ethical care. This is highlighted in intensive care units (ICUs) where close attention should be paid to patient rights and moral or ethical decision-making.Objective: The present study aimed at determining and comparing the effect of written simulation and computer simulation of a virtual patient on the development of moral sensitivity of ICU nurses.Research design: Randomized controlled trial with one control arm and two experimental arms.Participants and content: This study involved 204 ICU nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from 2019 to 2021 using a random allocation method. The participants were allocated to three groups comprising virtual patient computer simulation, written simulation, and the no simulation control group. After training based on a Patient Rights Charter, five scenarios, with themes reflecting the clauses of the Patient's Rights Charter, were written as a computer program and text for the computer simulation and written simulation groups, respectively. Finally, nurses' moral sensitivity was assessed using the Lützén moral sensitivity questionnaire as pre- and post-tests (immediately and 2months after the intervention).Ethical considerations: Ethical permission was obtained for the study. All the participants signed the informed consent before the study onset.Results: The study results showed a significant difference in moral sensitivity among the three groups before the intervention (p = 0.003). Immediately after the intervention compared to pre-intervention, the three groups showed no significant differences in this regard (p = 0.056), however a significant difference among the three groups was found 2months post-intervention (p < 0.001).

Factors affecting the formation of nurses’ moral sensitivity in cardiopulmonary resuscitation settings: A qualitative study

Background: Certain factors may facilitate or inhibit the formation of moral sensitivity in nurses performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The identification of these factors in the context can help develop strategies to promote nurses' moral sensitivity and offer new insights into the consequences of their moral decisions.Objective: Taking into account the possibly multi-factorial nature of moral sensitivity, this study aimed to identify the factors affecting the formation of nurses' moral sensitivity in CPR settings.Research design and methods: This study performed a conventional qualitative content analysis. Twenty-one participants were selected via purposive and theoretical sampling. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and simultaneously analyzed via content analysis.Participants and research context: In total, twenty-one participants (fourteen clinical care nurses, three head nurses, two educational supervisors, and two faculty members) from different cities of Iran were interviewed.Ethical considerations: The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences in Iran (IR.UMSU.REC.1399.337).Findings: Four categories (underlying factors, professional factors, organizational inhibitors of ethics, and professional limitations) and 13 sub-categories were extracted.Discussion: The formation of moral sensitivity requires a range of ethical standards and their maintenance, not only at the individual level but also at the profession, organization, and community levels. So eliminating inhibitors of ethics in these contexts can improve nurse's ethical performance in CPR settings.Conclusion: Any measures taken or decisions made by nurses in CPR are driven by numerous ethical issues to which nurses must be morally sensitive. Some factors facilitate and some inhibit the formation of moral sensitivity in nurses.

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Compassion Fatigue and Moral Sensitivity of Intensive Care Nurses.

Objective: The study aimed to examine the relationship between compassion fatigue and moral sensitivity of intensive care nurses. Method: Permission was obtained from the ethics committee, institution, and nurses prior to the study. The population of the study consisted of all nurses working in a university hospital, and the sample consisted of 144 intensive care nurses who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected through the Questionnaire, the Compassion Fatigue Scale, and the Moral Sensitivity Scale. The total score of the compassion fatigue scale ranges between 24 and 120, and a high score indicates a "high level of compassion". The total score of the moral sensitivity scale, on the other hand, varies between 30-210, and as the score increases, moral sensitivity decreases. The obtained data were evaluated with Student t, One-Way Anova, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney U, and correlation analysis. Results: It was found that 55.6% of the nurses had a bachelor's degree, 44.4% had been working in the intensive care unit for 4-6years, 39.6% had professional ethical dilemmas, and 44.6% of those who had ethical dilemmas could not solve this problem. Compassion fatigue and moral sensitivity scale mean scores were found to be 83.3 ± 6.7 and 125.4 ± 7.2, respectively, and there was a positive correlation between compassion fatigue and moral sensitivity mean scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The mean score of the compassion fatigue and moral sensitivity scale of intensive care nurses was at a "moderate" level, and there was a positive correlation between the nurses' moral sensitivity scale and compassion fatigue scale scores. In line with these results, it can be suggested that the compassion fatigue and moral sensitivities of nurses especially those working in intensive care be evaluated in terms of resolving the ethical dilemmas they may experience in patient care, and these nurses be supported on these matters.

Mindfulness, empathy and moral sensitivity in nurses: a structural equation modeling analysis

BackgroundEthical issues may pose challenges to nurses; moral sensitivity can help them to overcome these challenges. Identifying variables related to moral sensitivity can help in planning to increase nurses’ moral sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among mindfulness, empathy, and moral sensitivity in a sample of nurses.MethodsIn the present study, a cross-sectional design utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted. The nurses in a private hospital in Yazd, Iran, were invited to participate in the study (n=162) using simple random sampling. In order to gather the data, the Freiburg’s mindfulness inventory, moral sensitivity questionnaire, and revised Jefferson’s empathy scale were used. The hypothesized model was analyzed by SEM.ResultsThe results show that Mindfulness (β=0.41, t=5.53, p<0.01) and empathy (β=0.52, t=6.77, p<0.01) had a significant direct effect on moral sensitivity. However, mindfulness had an indirect effect on nurses’ moral sensitivity via empathy improvement (z= 6.25, p<.01).ConclusionEmpathy played a significant mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and moral sensitivity, so mindfulness-based interventions with an emphasis on empathy may provide an opportunity to increase moral sensitivity in nurses.

Critical care nurses' moral sensitivity during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Qualitative perspectives.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is one of the areas in which moral issues are of great significance, especially with respect to the nursing profession, because CPR requires quick decision-making and prompt action and is associated with special complications due to the patients' unconsciousness. In such circumstances, nurses' ability in terms of moral sensitivity can be determinative in the success of the procedure. Identifying the components of moral sensitivity in nurses in this context can promote moral awareness and improve moral performance. This study was conducted to explore and identify the experiences of critical care nurses about moral sensitivity components in CPR. This study was implemented with a qualitative approach. Data were collected via 22 in-depth semi-structured interviews held with 20 eligible participants with maximum variation. The data were then analyzed using the grounded theory approach. In total, thirteen clinical nurses, three head nurses, two educational supervisors, and two faculty members from different universities of Iran were interviewed. This study was conducted with the ethical approval (IR.UMSU.REC.1399.337) of the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Four themes and 12 sub-themes were extracted from the analysis of the data, including "Consciously and compassionate attention to resuscitate the patient," "Awareness of families' anxiety," "Understanding the teamwork and interactive guidance of the CPR process," and "Compulsory violation of moral principles." It is anticipated that this discussion will prompt further debate, raise awareness and help clarify the dimensions of moral sensitivity in unconscious patients especially during CPR, so that it can be more clearly named and defended as a moral authority in CPR. identifying the components of moral sensitivity in nurses, facilitates their encounter with moral issues and can improve their moral performance and encourage right decisions.

Moral sensitivity of nurses and factors related to the moral sensitivity: Comparing psychiatric nurses and nurses in general wards

Moral sensitivity of nurses and factors related to the moral sensitivity: Comparing psychiatric nurses and nurses in general wards

Impact of poetry-based ethics education on the moral sensitivity of nurses: A semi-experimental study.

The nurses' moral sensitivity is the first step to make right decisions in difficult moral situations. Therefore, its education and promotion is highly important. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of poetry-based ethics education on the nurses' moral sensitivity. This was a semi-experimental study. The sample consisted of 108 nurses who were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: intervention with poetry (G1), who read a booklet about values and principles of professional ethics as well as poems related to these subjects for 1 month; intervention without poetry (G2), who only read the booklet without any poetry; and control group (G3), who did not receive any intervention. Data were collected by Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire that was completed by the participants prior to the intervention (T1), 1-month post-intervention (T2), and 2-month post-intervention (T3). Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software. This study was conducted in accord with the principles of research ethics and regulations relating to informed consent. Changes in the mean score of total moral sensitivity were significantly higher in G1 than in G2, which was in turn significantly higher than in G3. This increase was significant from T1 to T2 and T2 to T3 (P < 0.001). In all subscales, there was a significant difference between the mean changes in the three groups, so that in these subscales, the mean changes in G1 were significantly higher than those in other groups. In line with previous studies, our results showed the effectiveness of poetry-based education on the transfer of educational concepts and increase moral sensitivity scores with greater lasting effect. The use of interdisciplinary subjects such as poetry, due to its entertaining, fun, and lasting effect on minds; level of awareness; and actions of nurses, can help raise nursing moral sensitivity.

Patient Safety Silence and Safety Nursing Activities: Mediating Effects of Moral Sensitivity.

Among the factors that threaten patient safety and quality of care due to the diversification and complication of hospital environments, nurses play a pivotal role regarding patient safety in the clinical setting. This study investigates the mediating effects of moral sensitivity on the relationship between nurses’ patient safety silence and safety nursing activities and contributes to developing strategies. Nurses (n = 120) employed for at least one year in two university hospitals in Korea between 1 September and 30 October 2020 participated in the study. Data were analyzed using t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression using the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. Additionally, the mediating effects were analyzed using Baron and Kenny’s method and bootstrapping. Safety nursing activities were significantly negatively correlated with patient safety silence and significantly positively correlated with moral sensitivity. Patient safety silence was significantly negatively correlated with moral sensitivity. Moral sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between patient safety silence and safety nursing activities. There is a need to develop and implement individualized ethical programs that enhance moral sensitivity in nurses to promote patient safety nursing activities.

Hospital nurses' empathy and moral sensitivity toward elderly care: A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study is to explore factors that influence elderly caring attitudes, with a focus on empathy and moral sensitivity. Medical and nursing needs of the elderly have escalated as a consequence of changes induced by aging and the associated diseases and disabilities. A cross-sectional study involving 229 nurses from four general hospitals in South Korea was conducted. Questionnaires assessing demographic and work experience information, empathy (Empathy Construct Rating Scale), moral sensitivity (Korean version of the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire) and elderly caring (Elderly Caring Attitude Scale) were used. Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis. The factors influencing the caring attitudes of nurses were empathy, moral sensitivity, preference for geriatric nursing and experience with continuing education in geriatric nursing. The explanatory power of this regression model was 59.4%. Strategies to enhance empathy and moral sensitivity of nurses and education related to geriatric nursing might help improve elderly caring attitudes. Continued education in geriatric nursing should be provided for nurses caring for the elderly. In terms of nursing management and education, it is necessary to consider and develop strategies to improve the empathy and moral sensitivity of nurses toward elderly patients.

The Relationship between Nurses' Moral Sensitivity and Patients' Satisfaction with the Care Received in the Medical Wards.

Introduction: The quality of care affects patients’ satisfaction. To provide high quality care, nurses face ethical challenges in daily practice. Moral sensitivity is the first phase in moral implementation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between nurses’ moral sensitivity and patients’ satisfaction in medical wards.Methods: In descriptive correlational study 198 nurses and 198 patients in 17 medical wards filled out the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ) and Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ), respectively. Nurses were sampled by the census method. For each nurse, a patient was selected randomly from the same ward. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: The highest scores were in the dimensions of “relational orientation” and “following the rules”, and the lowest scores were in the dimensions of “autonomy” and “experiencing moral conflicts”. The highest level of patients’ satisfaction was with “nurses’ professional performance” 3.98 (1.09), and the lowest level was with “nurses’ routine work” 2.69 (1.22). There was no significant relationship between the mean of patient satisfaction and moral sensitivity of nurses.Conclusion: Considering that nurses had a higher score in dimension of “following the rules” and a lower score in dimension of “autonomy”, it seems ethical performance in the real situation is not merely due to the nurses’ moral sensitivity and it seems the complexity of the organization causes nurses face difficulties in making decisions related to clinical practice; therefore, policy makers in the health system should be able to identify barriers.

Effect of hospital ethical climate on the nurses' moral sensitivity

Objectives: The study determines the effects of the hospitals ethical climate on the moral sensitivity of nurses. Methods: The study design is descriptive and correlational. The data was obtained from 99 nurses who voluntarily accepted to fully participate in the surveys conducted. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. Results: As a result of the study, the ethical climate perception of nurses and their moral sensitivity level was found to be above average. A positive, meaningful and medium relationship was found between the moral sensitivity level of nurses and ethical climate perceptions of nurses. Conclusions: Our findings support that the ethical climate perception of nurses is an important factor in determining the moral sensitivity. Consequently, building an ethical climate in all the hospitals that provide health care will result in a high moral sensitivity of nurses when giving health care.

Investigating the Relationship between Nurses’ Moral Sensitivity and Patients’ Satisfaction with the Quality of Nursing Care

Patient satisfaction is considered as an important indicator of the quality and effectiveness of health system. Moral sensitivity plays an important role in how professional responsibilities and moral decisions are made by nurses. This study aims to investigate the relationship between nurses' moral sensitivity and patients' satisfaction with quality of nursing care. This study is descriptive and analytic. First, nurses in internal, surgical and special wards were selected through census method. Then, patients were selected using quota sampling to the ratio of nurses from each section. Data were collected through Demographic Questionnaires, Patient Satisfaction Instrument and Moral Sensitive Questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23. There was a significant positive correlation between nurses' moral sensitivity and patients' satisfaction with quality of nursing care (P < 0.05). The majority of patients (70.5) had moderate level of satisfaction with quality of nursing care. 93.5 of nurses had high moral sensitivity. There was no statistically significant relationship between nurses' moral sensitivity and variables of sex, location of work, marital status, type of responsibility and work shift. Relationship between patient satisfaction and type of admission ward was significant (P = 0.03). Increased moral sensitivity in nurses is effective on improving patients' satisfaction with the quality of nursing care. It is suggested to conduct further research with larger sample size and investigate other factors affecting patient satisfaction in order to ensure the generalizability of research results.

Relationship between nurses' moral sensitivity and the quality of care.

To provide care with high quality, nurses face a number of moral issues requiring them to have moral abilities in professional performance. Moral sensitivity is the first step in moral performance. However, its relation to the quality of care patients receive is controversial. This study aims to determine the relationship between the moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of care received by patients in the medical wards. A descriptive correlational study using validated tools, including Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire and the Quality Patient Quality Scale. In total, 198 nurses and 198 patients in 17 medical wards of hospitals affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The mean values of nurses' moral sensitivity and nurses' quality care were 136.47 ± 13.30 and 196.36 ± 44.10, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the patient care quality and nurses' moral sensitivity (r = -.14, p = .5). However, there was a significant inverse relationship between the dimension of "Experiencing moral conflicts" and the overall score of quality care (r = -.50, p = .04), the dimensions of "psychosocial (r = -.50, p = .04)" and "physical (r = -.50, p = .03)." Considering the significant inverse relationship between the score of patient quality care and the dimension of moral conflict experience, it seems when nurses make moral decisions, they experience a conflict between personal and professional values in their careers and thus experience moral tension. If this tension is not resolved properly, it can provide a way for them to distance themselves from patients, thereby making nurses indifferent to moral care.

Moral Sensitivity in Nurses Providing Care to Psychiatric Patients: A cross-sectional study

Moral Sensitivity in Nurses Providing Care to Psychiatric Patients: A cross-sectional study

Factors associated with Nurses' Moral Sensitivity

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the associations among moral reasoning, empathy, communication self-efficacy, and moral sensitivity and to determine predictors of nurses’ moral sensitivity. Methods: Data were collected from 194 nurses in the Republic of Korea. Structured questionnaires consisted of the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, Defining Issues Test, Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory. The collected data were analyzed using t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS ver. 21. Results: Nurses’ moral sensitivities were significantly associated with frequency of ethical education, empathy, and communication self-efficacy. In hierarchical multiple regression models, the significant factors of nurses’ moral sensitivity were age (β=.21, p=.044), the frequency of experience in ethics education (β=.18, p=.007), empathy (β=.32, p<.001), and communication self-efficacy (β=.25, p=.001), which explained 33.2% of the variance in nurses’ moral sensitivity. Conclusion: Our study findings show that nurses’ moral sensitivity could be enhanced by more frequent ethics education programs. In addition, nursing ethics education might be developed to include potential strategies to improve empathy and self-efficacy in communication for high levels of moral sensitivity in nurses.