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. 2023 May-Jun;71(3):101966.
doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101966. Epub 2023 Apr 11.

Understanding the mediated relationship between moral distress, depression, and suicide risk in undergraduate nursing students

Cynthia P Paidipati  1 , Alicia J Lozano  2 , Jennifer West  2 , Liming Huang  3 , Alexandra L Hanlon  2 , Connie M Ulrich  4
Affiliations

Understanding the mediated relationship between moral distress, depression, and suicide risk in undergraduate nursing students

Cynthia P Paidipati et al. Nurs Outlook. 2023 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Nursing students are at higher risk for depression, suicide, and other mental health concerns as compared to the general college student population. Moral distress and other ethical issues may be a significant source of psychological harm within nursing student experiences and warrants further attention.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between moral distress and suicide risk among undergraduate nursing students.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis was derived from a larger sequential mixed methods study. The first phase was an online survey completed by a national sample of N = 679 nursing students in the United States.

Findings: The relationship between moral distress and suicide risk was fully mediated by depression and statistically significant at the alpha = 0.05 level.

Conclusion: All three psychological variables (depression, moral distress, suicide risk) impact nursing students and require innovative solutions within nursing and educational programs.

Keywords: Depression; Mental health; Moral distress; Nursing students; Suicide risk.

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Figures

Figure 1–
Figure 1–. Conceptual model for moral distress, depression, and suicide risk.
Figure 2 –
Figure 2 –. Mediation model effect of depression on the relationship between moral distress and suicide risk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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