Mindfulness, Empathy and Moral Sensitivity in Nurses: a Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Abstract

Background: Nurses in work situations face with various moral issues and they can be such a challenge regarding interaction with patients; moral sensitivity of a nurse can help him/her to overcome these challenges. Regarding, the consideration of variables associated with moral sensitivity can be a real facilitator in overcoming such challenges. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among mindfulness, empathy, and moral sensitivity in a sample of nurses. Methods: In the present study, a cross-sectional design utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted. The nurses in a private hospital in Yazd, Iran, were invited to participate in the study (n=162). In order to gather the data, the Freiburg’s mindfulness inventory, moral sensitivity questionnaire, and revised Jefferson’s empathy scale were used. The hypothesized model was analyzed by SEM.Results: The results show that Mindfulness and empathy had a significant direct effect on moral sensitivity. However, mindfulness had an indirect effect on nurses’ moral sensitivity via empathy improvement (p<.01).Conclusion: Regarding the results, it can be concluded that via mindfulness improvement in nurses, it is possible to raise their moral sensitivity; considering the empathy role as a mediator, it is recommended mindfulness improvement is coincided with empathy.