Survey of Moral Distress and Self-Awareness among Health Care Professionals

Health care professionals experience moral distress due to challenging ethical decision-making during patient care. Self-awareness can be associated with moral distress. This study determined the levels of and relationship between moral distress and self-awareness of health care professionals. A convenience sample of physicians and nurses was recruited. Data were collected using the Moral Distress and Self-Awareness Scales. In total, 168 physicians and 201 nurses participated with a mean age of 30.54 +/- 7.87 and clinical experience of 6.40 +/- 6.22 years. Moderate levels of moral distress (127.07 +/- 71.90) and high levels of self-awareness (70.20 +/- 11.37) were found. A weak positive correlation was found between self-awareness and moral distress (r = 0.21, p < 0.001) and weak negative correlation between moral distress (r = - 0.115, p = 0.03) and age. Nurses were more self-aware, but no differences were observed in moral distress based on sex and clinical settings. A weak correlation between self-awareness and moral distress may suggest that self-awareness can increase intrapersonal tensions, contributing to distress. Further research is needed to support any conclusive relationship between moral distress and self-awareness.