Perceived Stress, Moral Distress, and Spiritual Intelligence of Clinical Nurses in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the psychological problems of people all over the world. In this crisis, nurses experienced complex physical and psychological stress. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship of perceived stress with moral distress and the spiritual intelligence of clinical nurses in the context of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 285 clinical nurses working in public hospitals in the city of Shahroud, Iran. Data collection instruments included a demographic data sheet, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Corley’s Moral Distress Scale (MDS), and King’s Spiritual Intelligence Scale (SISRI-24). Descriptive (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (the independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and logistic regression analysis) were used to analyze the data. Results: The findings showed that nurses reported high levels of perceived stress (36.12 ± 5.14). Perceived stress was positively and significantly correlated with moral distress (P = 0.001, r = 0.09). Perceived stress was also significantly correlated with age (P < 0.01, r = 0.29) and work experience (P = 0.001, r = -0.85). Conclusions: According to the findings, nurses must strive to reduce moral distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, psychosocial support for clinical nurses, stress management courses, and providing welfare facilities for nurses are essential.