The role of perceived organizational support for nurses' ability to handle and resolve ethical value conflicts: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Aim

To explore if and how nurses' perceived organizational support affects their ability to handle and resolve ethical value conflicts.

Design

A mixed methods design with a longitudinal questionnaire survey and focus group interviews.

Methods

A questionnaire survey in six hospitals in two Swedish regions provided data from 711 nurses responding twice (November–January 2019/2020 and November–January 2020/2021). A cross-lagged path model tested the mutual prospective influence between the organizational climate of perceived organizational support, frequency of ethical value conflicts, and resulting moral distress. Four focus group interviews were conducted with 21 strategically selected nurses (April–October 2021). Qualitative data collection and analysis were inspired by Grounded Theory.

Results

A climate of perceived organizational support was empowering, contributing to role security. It prospectively decreased the frequency of ethical value conflicts but not the moral distress when conflicts did occur.

Conclusion

It is important to facilitate the development of perceived organizational support among nurses, but also to reduce the occurrence of ethical value conflicts that the nurses cannot resolve.

Implications for the Profession

By ensuring a shared care ideology, good inter-professional relations within the entire care organization, providing clear and supportive organizational structures, and utilizing competence adequately, healthcare managers can facilitate and support the development of perceived organizational support among nurses. Nurses who are empowered by perceived organizational support are stimulated by and take pride in their work and experience the work as meaningful and joyful.

Impact

The study addressed the question of whether healthcare organizations could support nurses to resolving ethical value conflicts, and thus reduce moral distress. Perceived organizational support is related to factors such as ideological caring alignment and supportive organizational preconditions. This study contributes specific knowledge about how healthcare organizations can empower nurses to effectively resolve ethical value conflicts and thereby reduce their moral distress.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.