Definitions of Moral Distress3
| Definition | Source3 |
|---|---|
| When one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it nearly impossible to pursue the right course of action | Jameton4 |
| When the practitioner feels certain of the ethical course of action but is constrained from taking that action | Hamric and Blackhall5 |
| The painful psychological disequilibrium that results from recognising the ethically appropriate action, yet not taking it, because of obstacles such as lack of time, supervisory reluctance, an inhibiting medical power structure, institution policy or legal considerations | Corely et al6 |
| You act in a manner contrary to your personal and professional values, which undermines your integrity and authenticity | American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)7 |
| The pain or anguish affecting the mind, body or relationships in response to a situation in which the person is aware of a moral problem, acknowledges moral responsibility and makes a moral judgement about the correct action; yet, as a result of real or perceived constraints, participates in a perceived moral wrongdoing | Rushton et al8 |
| Moral distress occurs when situational constraints prevent a nurse from implementing a moral decision s/he has made. . . For moral distress to occur, a case must arise in which the nurse recognises a moral issue and believes she or he is responsible for her or his own actions in the situation | Wilkinson2 |
| The suffering experienced as a result of situations in which individuals feel morally responsible and have determined the ethically right action to take, yet owing to constraints (real or perceived) cannot carry out this action, thus believing that they are committing a moral offence | Mitton et al9 |
| Traditional negative stress symptoms that occur due to situations that involve ethical dimensions and where the healthcare provider feels she/he is not able to preserve all interests and values at stake | Kälvemark et al10 |
| Moral stress is experienced when nurses are aware of what ethical principles are at stake in a specific situation and external factors prevent them from making a decision that would reduce the conflict between the contradicting principles | Lützén et al11 |