Psychometric evaluation of the Moral Distress Scale-Revised among Iranian Nurses.
BACKGROUND
Experiencing moral distress is traumatic for nurses. Ignoring moral distress can lead to job dissatisfaction, improper handling in the care of patients, or even leaving the job. Thus, it is crucial to use valid and reliable instruments to measure moral distress.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and the validity of the Persian version of the Moral Distress Scale-Revised among a sample of Iranian nurses.


METHODS
In this methodological study, 310 nurses were recruited from all hospitals affiliated with the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences from February 2014 to April 2015. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Moral Distress Scale-Revised. The construct validity of the Moral Distress Scale-Revised was evaluated using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha.


METHODS
This study was approved by the Regional Committee of Medical Research Ethics. The ethical principles of voluntary participation, anonymity, and confidentiality were considered.


RESULTS
The construct validity of the scale showed four factors with eigenvalues greater than one. The model had a good fit (χ2(162) = 307.561,χ2/df= 1.899, goodness-of-fit index = .904, comparative fit index = .927, incremental fit index = .929, and root mean square error of approximation (90% confidence interval) = .049 (.040-.057)) with all factor loadings greater than .5 and statistically significant. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were .853, .686, .685, and .711for the four factors. Moreover, the model structure was invariant across different income groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The Persian version of the Moral Distress Scale-Revised demonstrated suitable validity and reliability among nurses. The factor analysis also revealed that the Moral Distress Scale-Revised has a multidimensional structure. Regarding the proper psychometric characteristics, the validated scale can be used to further research about moral distress in this population.
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Mohammad Ali
MA
Soleimani
Taylor's University, Malaysia.
Saeed Pahlevan
SP
Sharif
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Ameneh
A
Yaghoobzadeh
Concordia University, Canada.
Bianca
B
Panarello
D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014175:Translating
Confirmatory factor analysis; moral distress; psychometric properties; reliability; validity