Moral distress and burnout syndrome among nurses: qualitative study in the hospital context

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62827/eb.v24i3.4062

Keywords:

Nursing; Psychological Distress; Psychological.

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing is an essential profession, but it is often performed under adverse conditions that compromise the physical and mental health of professionals. Moral distress, resulting from the inability to act according to ethical principles, has proven to be a relevant factor in the development of Burnout Syndrome. Objective: This study analyzed the factors related to moral distress and Burnout syndrome and their manifestations on nurses' health in the hospital setting. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted with 20 nurses from a federal public hospital. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using Discursive Textual Analysis. Results: The factors related to moral distress and Burnout syndrome include: working conditions, team relationships, work management, and ethical conflicts arising from inappropriate practices. The manifestations of moral distress and Burnout on health were identified as physical and psycho-emotional exhaustion, characterized as clinical signs of illness. Conclusion: Factors related to moral distress and Burnout syndrome and their manifestations of illness among nurses were identified.

Author Biographies

  • Camila Antunez Villagran, UniRV

    Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Rio Verde, GO, Brasil

  • Tais Carpes Lanes, UFSM

    Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

  • Yasmin Kelly Alves da Silva, UniRV

    Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Rio Verde, GO, Brasil

  • Camila Milene Soares Bernardi, UFSM

    Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

  • Valdecir Zavarese da Costa, UFSM

    Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

  • Graziele de Lima Dalmolin, UFSM

    Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

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Published

2025-07-29

Issue

Section

Artigos originais

How to Cite

Moral distress and burnout syndrome among nurses: qualitative study in the hospital context. (2025). Enfermagem Brasil, 24(3), 2388-2402. https://doi.org/10.62827/eb.v24i3.4062