Reflection of nurses' moral intelligence levels on care behaviors

Abstract

Purpose Moral intelligence is an important parameter that forms the basis and cornerstone of ethics in nursing. It is necessary to determine whether moral intelligence is reflected in the care that forms the basis of nursing. This study was carried out with the aim of determining the reflections of nurses' moral intelligence levels on their care behaviors. Findings This study was descriptive and cross‐sectional in nature. The study's sample size is 200 nurses. A personal Information Form, Moral Intelligence Scale, and Caring Behaviors Scale were used to collect data. It was determined that nurses' moral intelligence levels and caring behavior average scores were high. There was a highly significant positive connection (p = 0.001) between the mean scores of the moral intelligence total and subdimensions. And the mean scores of the caring behavior total and subdimensions. Practical Implications It is very important to determine the moral intelligence levels, which are acquired and developed ability and directly affect nursing care, and to take initiatives to improve the quality of the care provided.

The effect of moral intelligence on cultural sensitivity in nurses

“…The mean total moral intelligence scale score of the participants of this study was 201.22 ± 21.99, which indicated that they had a good level of moral intelligence. In nursing practices, love, kindness, compassion, effective interaction, honesty, discipline, and respect for human values, dignity, and rights are an indication of competence (Karabey, 2021; Üzar Özçetin & Hiçdurmaz, 2018). Additionally, considering that the profession of nursing, which is a caregiving occupation with a high moral aspect, aims to provide what is best for the patient on the basis of reasoning and conscience in care and treatment practices (Cerit et al, 2021; Üzar Özçetin & Sarıoğlu, 2021), the good level of moral intelligence among the nurses participating in this study may be evaluated as a positive finding.…”

“…The mean total moral intelligence scale score of the participants of this study was 201.22 ± 21.99, which indicated that they had a good level of moral intelligence. In nursing practices, love, kindness, compassion, effective interaction, honesty, discipline, and respect for human values, dignity, and rights are an indication of competence (Karabey, 2021;Üzar Özçetin & Hiçdurmaz, 2018).…”

“…Healthcare professionals' awareness of the fact that their moral approach is affected by social values enables them to adapt to the cultural differences of patients and revise the issue of what course of action should be followed to provide benefit for the patient in the care‐treatment process (Aksoy & Akkoç, 2020; Aktaş et al, 2021; Karabey, 2021). In this context, the relationship between nurses' moral intelligence and their intercultural sensitivity was examined in this study.…”

“…The objective of the profession of nursing is to provide care for patients in line with the culture, beliefs, habits, and values of these patients from the first day to the last, regardless of their religion, language, race, and ethnic origin. The concept of moral intelligence helps healthcare professionals understand and accept these differences (Cerit et al, 2021; Karabey, 2021; Sabetsarvestani & HadianShirazi, 2021; Tuvesson & Lützén, 2017; Üzar Özçetin & Sarıoğlu, 2021). In our study, it was determined that there was a positive relationship between the cultural sensitivity levels of the participants and their moral intelligence levels (Table 3).…”

“…Moral intelligence, which has been defined by Lennick and Kiel as “the mental capacity for determining how universally adopted principles should be applied to our objectives, values, and actions,” stands out with its aspect that emphasizes individuals in the business world who can be described as professionals or experts directing their minds to their field of work and activating some of their skills in the meantime (Öztürk & Şaylıgil, 2020; Yaghoobi et al, 2018). Today, healthcare professionals working in healthcare services are expected to possess many skills and use these skills appropriately within the organization (Karabey, 2021; Sabetsarvestani & HadianShirazi, 2021). This expectation has led to an emphasis on the concept of administrative intelligence for healthcare professionals and studying the contribution of functionalizing this concept in business fields to those fields (Kanoğlu, 2019).…”