J Nurs Manag. 2026;2026(1):e6483265. doi: 10.1155/jonm/6483265.
ABSTRACT
AIM(S): To examine associations of emotional exhaustion and moral sensitivity with happiness among nurses in cardiac wards.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac nursing involves sustained emotional demands and ethical challenges, yet their relative associations with happiness are unclear.
METHOD(S): This multicenter cross-sectional study randomly sampled 220 nurses from four Iranian teaching hospitals. Validated questionnaires assessed happiness, moral sensitivity, and emotional exhaustion. Pearson correlations were primary, with Spearman sensitivity analyses. HC3-robust multivariable linear regression estimated adjusted associations.
RESULTS: Happiness was inversely correlated with emotional exhaustion (r = -0.409, 95% CI -0.515 to -0.291) and moral sensitivity (r = -0.245, 95% CI -0.374 to -0.106). In the complete-case model (n = 181), emotional exhaustion remained clearly associated with lower happiness (B = -0.184, 95% CI -0.262 to -0.107), whereas the adjusted moral sensitivity association was smaller and less precise (B = -0.069, 95% CI -0.140 to 0.002). Sensitivity analyses supported the stability of the emotional exhaustion estimate.
CONCLUSION(S): Emotional exhaustion showed the stronger and more consistent association with happiness; however, findings should be interpreted considering the modest reliability of the happiness measure and the cross-sectional design, which limits causal inference.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers should address modifiable work conditions and recovery opportunities while preserving organizational support for ethical practice.
PMID:42836377 | DOI:10.1155/jonm/6483265