Abstract
To explore the direct and indirect effect of the personality meta‐traits ‘Stability’ and ‘Plasticity’ on moral reasoning among nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Background
Moral reasoning is influenced by being prone to moral disengagement and personality traits. Moral disengagement is observed among professionals in many fields, including healthcare providers. Moral disengagement is known to be provoked by environmental stressors and influenced by certain personality traits.
Design
A cross‐sectional approach was used including self‐report questionnaires.
Methods
A convenience sample of Dutch nurse practitioners (N=67) and physician assistants (N=88) was surveyed via online questionnaires between January and March 2015, using: a) the Defining Issues Test; b) the BIG Five Inventory; and c) the Moral Disengagement Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for estimating the construct validity of two meta‐traits of personality and to test unidirectional influences on moral reasoning.
Results
Only the Stability trait was a direct predictor of moral reasoning whereas both Stability and Plasticity were precursors of moral disengagement. Both personality meta‐traits had statistically significant indirect effects on moral reasoning through a low level of moral disengagement. The influence of both personality traits on the level of moral reasoning was increased by strong self‐censure on entering into morally disengaged interactions.
Conclusion
The personality meta‐trait ‘Stability’ is an indicator of moral reasoning and is explained by a lower propensity to morally disengage among highly stable people. Although the meta‐trait Plasticity exerts an indirect effect through moral disengagement on moral reasoning, it is not a direct indicator of moral reasoning.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1252-1262 |
| Journal | Journal of advanced nursing |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 21 Dec 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2019 |
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Keywords
- nursing
- morality
Cite this
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Moral reasoning explained by personality traits and moral disengagement : a study among Dutch nurse practitioners and physician assistants. / Kuilman, Luppo; Jansen, Gerard; Middel, B.; Mulder, L; Roodbol, Petrie.
In: Journal of advanced nursing, Vol. 75, No. 6, 01.06.2019, p. 1252-1262.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Moral reasoning explained by personality traits and moral disengagement
T2 - a study among Dutch nurse practitioners and physician assistants
AU - Kuilman, Luppo
AU - Jansen, Gerard
AU - Middel, B.
AU - Mulder, L
AU - Roodbol, Petrie
PY - 2019/6/1
Y1 - 2019/6/1
N2 - AimTo explore the direct and indirect effect of the personality meta‐traits ‘Stability’ and ‘Plasticity’ on moral reasoning among nurse practitioners and physician assistants.BackgroundMoral reasoning is influenced by being prone to moral disengagement and personality traits. Moral disengagement is observed among professionals in many fields, including healthcare providers. Moral disengagement is known to be provoked by environmental stressors and influenced by certain personality traits.DesignA cross‐sectional approach was used including self‐report questionnaires.MethodsA convenience sample of Dutch nurse practitioners (N=67) and physician assistants (N=88) was surveyed via online questionnaires between January and March 2015, using: a) the Defining Issues Test; b) the BIG Five Inventory; and c) the Moral Disengagement Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for estimating the construct validity of two meta‐traits of personality and to test unidirectional influences on moral reasoning.ResultsOnly the Stability trait was a direct predictor of moral reasoning whereas both Stability and Plasticity were precursors of moral disengagement. Both personality meta‐traits had statistically significant indirect effects on moral reasoning through a low level of moral disengagement. The influence of both personality traits on the level of moral reasoning was increased by strong self‐censure on entering into morally disengaged interactions.ConclusionThe personality meta‐trait ‘Stability’ is an indicator of moral reasoning and is explained by a lower propensity to morally disengage among highly stable people. Although the meta‐trait Plasticity exerts an indirect effect through moral disengagement on moral reasoning, it is not a direct indicator of moral reasoning.
AB - AimTo explore the direct and indirect effect of the personality meta‐traits ‘Stability’ and ‘Plasticity’ on moral reasoning among nurse practitioners and physician assistants.BackgroundMoral reasoning is influenced by being prone to moral disengagement and personality traits. Moral disengagement is observed among professionals in many fields, including healthcare providers. Moral disengagement is known to be provoked by environmental stressors and influenced by certain personality traits.DesignA cross‐sectional approach was used including self‐report questionnaires.MethodsA convenience sample of Dutch nurse practitioners (N=67) and physician assistants (N=88) was surveyed via online questionnaires between January and March 2015, using: a) the Defining Issues Test; b) the BIG Five Inventory; and c) the Moral Disengagement Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for estimating the construct validity of two meta‐traits of personality and to test unidirectional influences on moral reasoning.ResultsOnly the Stability trait was a direct predictor of moral reasoning whereas both Stability and Plasticity were precursors of moral disengagement. Both personality meta‐traits had statistically significant indirect effects on moral reasoning through a low level of moral disengagement. The influence of both personality traits on the level of moral reasoning was increased by strong self‐censure on entering into morally disengaged interactions.ConclusionThe personality meta‐trait ‘Stability’ is an indicator of moral reasoning and is explained by a lower propensity to morally disengage among highly stable people. Although the meta‐trait Plasticity exerts an indirect effect through moral disengagement on moral reasoning, it is not a direct indicator of moral reasoning.
KW - nursing
KW - morality
KW - verpleegkunde
KW - moraal
UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/moral-reasoning-explained-personality-traits-moral-disengagement-study-among-dutch-nurse-practitione
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13939
DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13939
M3 - Article
VL - 75
SP - 1252
EP - 1262
JO - Journal of advanced nursing
JF - Journal of advanced nursing
SN - 0309-2402
IS - 6
ER -