The relationship between moral distress and cultural sensitivity levels in pediatric nurses: A cross-sectional study

Purpose

The study aimed to determine the relationship between moral distress and intercultural sensitivity levels among pediatric nurses.

Design and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024. The sample of the study consisted of 120 nurses working in pediatric units in public, university and training and research hospitals in a provincial center in the Western region of Turkey. The data were collected through a questionnaire form, “Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R, pediatric)” and “Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS)”.

Results

While the total score of the (MDS-R, pediatric) was 79.76 ± 56.65, the total score of the ISS was 89.34 ± 10.01. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between moral distress and intercultural sensitivity levels of pediatric nurses (r = 0.299; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The nurses' moral distress and intercultural sensitivity were at a moderate level. As the nurses' levels of moral distress increased, their intercultural sensitivity levels increased.

Practice implications

The findings of this study are crucial for pediatric nursing care, as they indicate that intercultural sensitivity may increase with the strengthening of moral distress levels. It is recommended that topics such as intercultural sensitivity, morality, and ethics be integrated into undergraduate and graduate nursing education programs, especially for health professionals working in culturally diverse settings.