Table 3 Integration of quantitative and qualitative results on moral distress in child and adolescent psychiatry staff
Key factors | Quantitative results | Qualitative results |
|---|---|---|
Age and experience | Moral distress decreased moderately with age and with over five years of inpatient CAP experience | Experienced staff reported lower moral distress and helped mitigate team distress. Inexperienced staff contributed to higher moral distress |
Occupation | Physicians reported highest moral distress compared to psychiatric aides and nurses | Frustration with physicians about decision conflicts and team dynamics |
Resources and work environment | High job demands and low social support were strongly associated with moral distress | High workloads and insufficient resources linked to moral distress and lower care quality |
Coercive measures | Positive perception of coercion moderately associated with lower moral distress Weak positive correlation between coercion frequency in ward and moral distress | Ethical dilemmas surrounding coercion, particularly with eating disorder patients, amplified moral distress |
Job retention | Intention to resign from job was strongly associated with higher moral distress | Emotional toll led to burnout and intention to resign |