Relationship between moral distress and cultural sensitivity among pediatric nurses at a tertiary care center: A descriptive correlational study
Suman Dabas, Amit Mann, Vanita KumariBackground and Objective:
Moral distress is the psychological discomfort nurses feel when they cannot act according to what they perceive as right, while intercultural sensitivity is the ability to understand and respect cultural differences for effective communication. Both are essential for ethical, high-quality, patient-centered care: Moral distress can affect nurses’ well-being and decision-making, whereas intercultural sensitivity improves patient trust and outcomes. However, limited evidence exists on their relationship in clinical settings. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between moral distress and cultural sensitivity among nurses working in pediatric settings.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive correlational study was conducted among pediatric nurses working in the pediatric emergency unit, medical and surgical wards, and pediatric intensive care unit (
Results:
Mean moral distress was low (83.87 ± 51.23), with higher intensity than frequency. Intercultural sensitivity was moderate (89.04 ± 11.18), highest for respect for cultural differences. Total intercultural sensitivity showed a positive correlation with moral distress frequency (
Conclusions:
Higher intercultural sensitivity was associated with lower intensity and overall moral distress, indicating that enhancing cultural sensitivity may help reduce moral distress. Moreover, providing structured support, including debriefings, mentorship, and training on moral distress and culturally competent communication, can help nurses cope with ethical challenges and promote resilience and psychological well-being.