Frequency and burden with ethical conflicts and burnout in nurses

Abstract

Many studies examine a stressors-professional burnout (PB) relation, but only few consider the role of ethical conflicts (ECs) in this context. The aim of this study was to characterize ECs' frequency and level of burden with them among nurses and to establish the relations between ECs' frequency, burden and PB. One hundred nurses participated in this study. ECs' frequency and burden were tested with an originally developed questionnaire. PB was examined with Maslach Burnout Inventory. Most frequent ECs concerned a nurse-patient relationship. PB was positively related to ECs' frequency (r = .54; p = .001) and burden (r = .22; p = .03). Frequency of specific conflict did not imply burden with it and vice versa. ECs' frequency seems more important for PB than a level of burden with them. The most frequent and the most burdening conflicts may lead to development of PB but the less frequent and less burdening ones are also dangerous.

Translation and psychometric properties of the “ethical conflict in nursing questionnaire: critical care version” in Iran

“…Some of research revealed ethical conflicts in ICU nurses. Wlodarczyk and Lazarewicz found a positive relationship between professional burnout and frequency of ethical conflicts among nurses in Poland (18). In Spain, the findings showed high levels of exposure to ethical conflicts (8).…”

Coping and caring: support resources integral to perioperative nurses during the process of organ procurement surgery

“…This was reported as a major barrier to receiving and providing mutual support for fear of confessing to a weakness and further embarrassment. This aspect was also identified by Wlodarczyk and Lazarewicz (, p.859) who stated: ‘Confessing to own weaknesses is not taken well in the professional environment’. The current findings point to the importance of mutual peer and social support, although identified as not forthcoming for several participants, it was emphasised as an important element in reducing their perceived social isolation.…”

Ethical challenges when caring for dying children

“…19 The ethical dimension when caring for dying children is of great importance to consider, since conflicts about moral issues can affect not only the individual HCW but also the whole organization. 41 When HCWs are absent during the moment of death, parents' experiences are negatively affected. 26 It is interesting that HCWs in this study were similarly affected with emptiness and emotional pain, when they were not present at the moment the child died.…”