J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2020 Dec;26(5):511-520. 10.11111/jkana.2020.26.5.511.

Mediation Effect of Biomedical Ethics Awareness between Moral Sensitivity and Perceived Ethical Confidence among Nursing Students

• Kim EA
• Kim NY

• KMID: 2512232
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2020.26.5.511

Abstract

Purpose
This study was done to identify the mediating effect of biomedical ethics awareness in the relationship between moral sensitivity and perceived ethical confidence among nursing students.
Methods
Participants were 211 nursing students from 7 universities in G city. A self-report questionnaire was used to measure moral sensitivity, biomedical ethics awareness, and perceived ethical confidence. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis using Baron and Kenny's method.
Results
Moral sensitivity was significantly positively correlated with biomedical ethics awareness (r=.52, p<.001) and perceived ethical confidence (r=.60, p<.001). Biomedical ethics awareness was also significantly correlated with perceived ethical confidence (r=.50, p<.001). Also, biomedical ethics awareness (β=.25, p<.001) showed a partial mediating effect on the relationship between moral sensitivity and perceived ethical confidence.
Conclusion
The impact of moral sensitivity on perceived ethical confidence in nursing students was mediated by biomedical ethics awareness. Therefore, it is suggest that strategies for improving biomedical ethics awareness in nursing students should be considered when developing an educational program for enhancing their perceived ethical confidence.

Keyword

Bioethics; Morals; Nursing students; Regression analysis