To assess the level of moral distress among pediatric nurses in China and identify factors influencing moral distress in this population.
Key Findings:
Median total moral distress score was 64.00 (IQR: 36.00–84.00).
Higher levels of moral distress were reported in PICUs and NICUs compared to general pediatric units (H = 30.828, P<0.01).
Charge nurses and above experienced more moral distress than lower-ranked nurses (H = 17.620, P<0.01).
Female nurses reported more severe moral distress than male nurses (Z = 2.006, P<0.05).
Six independent predictors of moral distress were identified, accounting for 40.2% of the variance (R2 = 0.402, adjusted R2 = 0.398, P < 0.05).
Interpretation:
Moral distress is prevalent among pediatric nurses in Sichuan, with significant associations to department, professional title, gender, ethical climate, moral sensitivity, and collaboration with physicians.
Limitations:
The study is limited to pediatric nurses in Sichuan Province, which may not represent all pediatric nursing contexts in China.
Cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causality.
Cultural factors influencing moral distress may not be fully captured.
Conclusion:
Moral distress among pediatric nurses in Sichuan is significant and influenced by various factors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
