Profiles of moral sensitivity and their associated factors in nursing students: A latent profile analysis

This study was conducted to identify group profiles in moral sensitivity among Chinese nursing students and examine the factors associated with moral sensitivity subgroups.

Moral sensitivity is a precondition for ethical decision making. Developing this sensitivity equips nursing students with the skills to identify and respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas, which are essential as they prepare to enter clinical settings. As integral members of the future nursing workforce, nursing students must be well prepared to navigate the ethical challenges they face.

This study used a cross-sectional design.

Using convenience sampling, 716 nursing undergraduates from three universities in Jiangxi Province participated in this study. Participants completed online assessments of personality traits, empathy, professional nursing values and moral sensitivity. Latent profile analysis was used to identify moral sensitivity profiles and multinomial logistic regression was used to explore factors influencing distinct moral sensitivity profiles in nursing undergraduates.

Results identified three profiles: "moral idealists" (9.7 %; high moral strength, moral burden; low moral responsibility), "moral undertakers" (32.0 %; moderate moral strength, moral burden; high moral responsibility), "moral skeptics" (58.3 %; low moral strength, moral burden and moral responsibility). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that grade level, only child status, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, empathy and professional nursing values were associated with different profiles of moral sensitivity in nursing students.

Most undergraduate nursing students were placed in the moral skeptics group; thus, educational institutions should pay special attention to nursing students with low levels of moral sensitivity. Particular attention and additional support should be given to nursing students who are only children, in their lower academic years, exhibit neurotic traits and possess lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Educational activities and programs that prioritize empathy and professional nursing values may present a viable approach to fostering moral sensitivity among nursing students.