Examining the relationship between moral sensitivity and compassion satisfaction and fatigue among icu nurses: A correlational study

Background: Caring for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) requires high moral sensitivity among nurses. Moral sensitivity may be associated with dimensions of nurses’ professional quality of life, including compassion satisfaction and fatigue, yet sufficient evidence in ICU settings is lacking. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between moral sensitivity and professional quality of life among ICU nurses in Zanjan. Methods: A descriptive-correlational study was conducted with ۱۴۶ ICU nurses. Convenience sampling was used from October ۲۰۲۱ to June ۲۰۲۲ in two teaching hospitals affiliated with Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using demographic and occupational questionnaires, Lützén’s Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and Stamm and Figley’s Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire, and analyzed with SPSS-۲۲. A significance level of ۰.۰۵ was considered. Results: The mean moral sensitivity score was ۸۷.۱۸ (SD= ۵.۵۱), and professional quality of life was ۱۰۶.۱۹ (SD= ۱۱.۵۱). The mean compassion satisfaction score was ۷۳.۳۶ (SD= ۶.۱۲), and compassion fatigue was ۶۵.۰۲ (SD= ۱۴.۵۵). A significant positive correlation was observed between moral sensitivity and compassion satisfaction (r=۰.۳۴۵, P<۰.۰۱) and a significant negative correlation between moral sensitivity and compassion fatigue (r=-۰.۳۲۱, P<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: Given the moderate compassion satisfaction and high compassion fatigue among more than half of the nurses, enhancing moral sensitivity skills should be prioritized. Strengthening moral sensitivity through professional knowledge, respect for patient autonomy, experience with ethical conflicts, supportive environments, and nurse retraining can reduce compassion fatigue, increase compassion satisfaction, and improve nurses’ professional quality of life.

کلیدواژه ها:

Moral Sensitivity ، Compassion Satisfaction ، Compassion Fatigue ، Professional Quality of Life