Moral distress among inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry staff: a mixed-methods study of experiences and associated factors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Moral distress among healthcare staff is associated with emotional strain and workforce attrition but remains insufficiently explored in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP). We investigated the experiences and factors contributing to moral distress among staff in inpatient CAP.

Methods

We conducted a 2023 nationwide mixed-methods survey with 106 staff members from CAP inpatient units in Sweden. Quantitative data on moral distress were collected using the Stress of Conscience Questionnaire, while open-ended questions provided qualitative data on perceptions of moral distress and the impact of working with coercive measures. Findings were integrated using triangulation.

Results

Staff reported high levels of moral distress, with physicians experiencing the h

SUBMITTER: Eder N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11871634 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature