A Research On Moral Sensitivity Of ICU Nurses And Its Influencing Factors

Objectives(1)To measure the moral sensitivity of ICU nurses in Hunan Province;(2)Based on person-situation interaction theory,Trevino’s person-situation interaction theory model and moral sensitivity conceptual model,we explored the relationship between general demographic characteristics,emotional intelligence,personality,moral courage,moral climate and moral sensitivity of ICU nurses.The project results provided a basis for the subsequent improvement of moral sensitivity to construct appropriate intervention programs and promote ethical practice.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted by questionnaire.Cluster sampling method was used to select all ICU registered nurses from 10hospitals in Hunan Province.The research tools:General information Questionnaire for ICU nurses,The Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire-Revised Version into Chinese(MSQ-R-CV),Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale-Chinese version(WLEIS-C),The Revision of The NEO Five-Factor Inventory(NEO-FFI-R)and The Hospital Ethical Climate Survey(HECS)were used to measure the level of moral sensitivity and influencing factors of ICU nurses in Hunan Province.SPSS25.0 statistical software was used for data processing.Statistical methods included independent sample T test,correlation analysis and multiple step-up linear regression.Results(1)This research takes ICU nurses in Hunan Province as the research object.The average score of moral sensitivity questionnaire is39.41±7.21,indicating that the moral sensitivity level is moderate.(2)The results of multiple stepwise linear regression showed that the variables predicting the level of moral sensitivity of ICU nurses(p<0.05)were as follows:WLEIS-C total score(B=0.735,p<0.001);empathy and true presence with patients in NMCS dimensions(B=0.273,p<0.001);regulation of emotion dimension in WLEIS-C(B=-0.243,p=0.011);marital status:divorced or widowed(B=0.086,p=0.024);whether they had received ethics training in a hospital or department(B=-0.088,p=0.022);the dimension of relationship with nurses in HECS(B=-0.119,p=0.029).These variables explained 41.7%of the variance in ICU nurses’moral sensitivity(adjusted R~2=0.417,F=48.945,p<0.001).The variables predicting the moral strength and responsibility of ICU nurses(p<0.05)were as follows:self-emotion appraisal dimension in WIEIS-C(B=0.321,p<0.001);empathy and true presence with patient dimension in NMCS(B=0.199,p<0.001);use of emotion dimension in WIEIS-C(B=0.239,p=0.001);age(B=0.098,p=0.008).These variables explained 47.3%of the variance in ICU nurses’moral strength and responsibility(adjusted R~2=0.473,F=91.536,p<0.001).The variables predicting the moral burden of ICU nurses(p<0.05)were as follows:WLEISC total score(B=0.448,p<0.001);neuroticism in the Big Five(B=0.207,p<0.001);agreeableness in the Big Five(B=-0.172,p<0.001);empathy and true presence with patients in NMCS(B=0.207,p=0.001);whether the nurse had children(B=-0.091,p=0.029);and the dimension of nurse relationship in HECS(B=-0.136,p=0.023);whether they had received ethics training in a hospital or department(B=-0.092,p=0.027).These variables explained31.8%of the variance in ICU nurses’moral burden(adjusted R~2=0.318,F=27.884,p<0.001).Conclusions(1)The moral sensitivity of ICU nurses in Hunan Province is at a moderate level.(2)Age,marital status,and whether the nurse had children were all influencing factors of ICU nurses’moral sensitivity.It is necessary for hospitals or departments to carry out ethics continuing education and training to improve the moral sensitivity of ICU nurses;EI plays an important role in improving the moral sensitivity of ICU nurses,and ICU nurses can be trained on EI;ICU nurses with different personality characteristics have different perceived moral burden and ability to cope with moral burden;the construction of harmonious relationship among nurses can reduce the moral burden,but at the same time,managers need to strengthen the supervision of nurses’moral behavior;compassion and genuine presence with patients as typical moral emotions can effectively stimulate the moral sensitivity of ICU nurses.