The Relation among Moral Distress, Ethical Environment and Self Efficacy as Perceived by Nursing Staff

Mohamed El-sayed, Rehab; Hassan El-sayed Mahfouz, Howida; Mohamed Abdelmonem, Amira

doi:10.21608/jnsbu.2023.307218

The Relation among Moral Distress, Ethical Environment and Self Efficacy as Perceived by Nursing Staff

Document Type : Scientific peer reviewed journal

Authors

¹ Nursing specialist, Technical Institute of Nursing-Benha University, Egypt

² Assistant Professor of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing-Benha University, Egypt

³ Lecturer of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing-Benha University, Egypt

10.21608/jnsbu.2023.307218

Abstract

Background: Moral distress is a complex and challenging issue in the nursing profession
that can negatively affect the nurses’ self-efficacy and the quality of patient care especially when
working in non-ethical environment. Aim of this study: To assess the relation among moral
distress, ethical environment and self-efficacy as perceived by nursing staff. Study design: A
descriptive correlational design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in medical and
surgical units at Benha University hospital. Subject: All the available the head nurses group and
their assistance (54) and simple random sample of the staff nurses group (178). Tools of data
collection: Three tools were used in data collection; First tool: Moral distress questionnaire, Second
tool: Ethical environment questionnaire and third tool: General self-efficacy questionnaire.
Results: The most head nurse had moderate perception level toward moral distress & staff nurses
had high perception level. Also, most of nursing staff had high perception level toward ethical
environment. In addition, the highest percentage of the head nurses had moderate perception level
regarding self-efficacy & the staff nurses had low perception level. Conclusion: There was a highly
statistically significant positive correlation between moral distress and ethical environment among
head nurses and staff nurses. Otherwise, there was a highly statistically significant positive
correlation between self-efficacy and ethical environment. While there was a highly statistically
significant negative correlation between moral distress and self-efficacy among staff nurses.
Recommendations: Maintain nursing staff awareness about moral distress and self-efficacy by
conducting educational programs, workshops and conferences to improve outcomes related to
patient and the organization. Encourage open communication between nursing staff, supervisors
and physicians through conferences and meetings to share best practices.

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