Intensity and frequency of moral distress in mental health nurses in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the intensity and frequency of moral distress in mental health nurses in Brazil. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with 173 nurses from the Psychosocial Care Network in Brazil. The Brazilian Scale of Moral Distress in Nurses, adapted for the context of mental health, was used. For data processing, descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used. RESULTS: Mostly moderate levels of intensity and frequency of moral distress (medians between 2.25 - 3.73 and 2.00 - 3.22, respectively) were observed, with emphasis on the factors working conditions and social conflicts. CONCLUSION: The level of moral distress evidenced in mental health nurses in Brazil reflects the dimension and amplitude of the phenomenon in different points of the Psychosocial Care Network. The relevance of discussions on coping strategies for moral distress is highlighted, articulating elements such as sensitivity, resilience, and moral courage, so that ethical deliberation is applied in care and management settings.

Adaptation and Validation of a Moral Distress Instrument in Mental Health Nurses.

Background and Purpose: To adapt and validate the Brazilian Scale of Moral Distress in Nurses for the mental health field. Methods: A cross-sectional methodological study was carried out, adapted with the contribution of 34 specialists, and validated by 173 mental health nurses. Results: The validated scale consists of 37 items divided into seven factors, and they were responsible for 77.2% of variance-working conditions, advocacy for the values and rights, professional safety and autonomy, ethical violations, social conflicts, ethical-professional competence, and conflicts with the management, with Cronbach's alpha at .972 for the entire instrument, and ranging from .852 to .949 for the constructs. Conclusion: The results provide evidence that the adapted instrument is reliable, valid, and consistent in measuring moral distress in mental health nurses.

Intensity and frequency of moral distress in mental health nurses in Brazil / Intensidad y frecuencia del sufrimiento moral en enfermeros de salud mental en Brasil / Intensidade e frequência de distresse moral em enfermeiros de saúde mental no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the intensity and frequency of moral distress in mental health nurses in Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study with 173 nurses from the Psychosocial Care Network in Brazil. The Brazilian Scale of Moral Distress in Nurses, adapted for the context of mental health, was used. For data processing, descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used. Results: Mostly moderate levels of intensity and frequency of moral distress (medians between 2.25 - 3.73 and 2.00 - 3.22, respectively) were observed, with emphasis on the factors working conditions and social conflicts. Conclusion: The level of moral distress evidenced in mental health nurses in Brazil reflects the dimension and amplitude of the phenomenon in different points of the Psychosocial Care Network. The relevance of discussions on coping strategies for moral distress is highlighted, articulating elements such as sensitivity, resilience, and moral courage, so that ethical deliberation is applied in care and management settings.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la intensidad y frecuencia del sufrimiento moral en enfermeros de salud mental en Brasil. Método: Estudio transversal con 173 enfermeros de la Red de Atención Psicosocial del territorio brasileño. Se utilizó la Escala Brasileña de Sufrimiento Moral en Enfermeros adaptada para el contexto de la salud mental. Se utilizó análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial para el procesamiento de datos. Resultados: Se observó, en su mayoría, niveles moderados de intensidad y frecuencia de sufrimiento moral (medianas entre 2,25 - 3,73 y 2,00 - 3,22, respectivamente), con énfasis en los factores condiciones de trabajo y conflictos sociales. Conclusión: El nivel de sufrimiento moral evidenciado en enfermeros de salud mental en Brasil refleja la dimensión y amplitud del fenómeno en los diferentes puntos de la Red de Atención Psicosocial. Se destaca la relevancia de las discusiones sobre estrategias de enfrentamiento del sufrimiento moral, articulando elementos como la sensibilidad, la resiliencia y el coraje moral, para que la deliberación ética sea aplicada en contextos de cuidado y gestión.

RESUMO Objective: To assess the intensity and frequency of moral distress in mental health nurses in Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study with 173 nurses from the Psychosocial Care Network in Brazil. The Brazilian Scale of Moral Distress in Nurses, adapted for the context of mental health, was used. For data processing, descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used. Results: Mostly moderate levels of intensity and frequency of moral distress (medians between 2.25 - 3.73 and 2.00 - 3.22, respectively) were observed, with emphasis on the factors working conditions and social conflicts. Conclusion: The level of moral distress evidenced in mental health nurses in Brazil reflects the dimension and amplitude of the phenomenon in different points of the Psychosocial Care Network. The relevance of discussions on coping strategies for moral distress is highlighted, articulating elements such as sensitivity, resilience, and moral courage, so that ethical deliberation is applied in care and management settings.