Mindfulness, empathy and moral sensitivity in nurses: a structural equation modeling analysis
Yasser Rezapour-Mirsaleh1, Mahdi Aghabagheri2, Azadeh Choobforoushzadeh3
1Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, P.O. Box184, Ayatollah Khatami Blv., Ardakan, Yazd, Iran. y.rezapour@ardakan.ac.ir.
BMC Nursing
|May 27, 2022
Summary
Mindfulness and empathy significantly enhance nurses' moral sensitivity. Empathy acts as a key mediator, suggesting mindfulness interventions focused on empathy can improve ethical decision-making in nursing.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Ethics
- Psychology
- Healthcare Education
Background:
- Ethical challenges are prevalent in nursing practice.
- Moral sensitivity is crucial for nurses to navigate ethical dilemmas.
- Understanding factors influencing moral sensitivity can inform targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between mindfulness, empathy, and moral sensitivity in nurses.
- To identify potential mediating roles of empathy in the mindfulness-moral sensitivity connection.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 162 nurses from a private hospital in Yazd, Iran.
- Data were collected using validated instruments: Freiburg's mindfulness inventory, moral sensitivity questionnaire, and revised Jefferson's empathy scale.
- Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the hypothesized model.
Main Results:
- Both mindfulness (β=0.41) and empathy (β=0.52) demonstrated a significant direct positive effect on moral sensitivity (p<0.01).
- Mindfulness indirectly influenced moral sensitivity through enhanced empathy (z=6.25, p<.01).
Conclusions:
- Empathy significantly mediates the relationship between mindfulness and moral sensitivity in nurses.
- Mindfulness-based interventions incorporating empathy development may effectively enhance nurses' moral sensitivity.
- Findings support the integration of mindfulness and empathy training in nursing education and professional development.
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