Resilience Relationship With Moral and Power Harassment in Iranian Critical Care Nurses Publisher



Heidarzadeh M ; Nasab ES ; Jackson AC ; Jahangirimehr A ; Rahmaty Z ; Ardam M ; Bahramnezhad F
Source: Journal of Iranian Medical Council Published:2026

Abstract

Background: The escalating prevalence of moral harassment in the high-stress environment of the intensive care unit is impacting the overall health of nurses, ultimately putting patient health, safety, and even lives at risk. This issue is becoming increasingly significant. One common form of moral harassment is the misuse of authority within the treatment system. This study aims to determine the relationship between resilience and moral and power harassment in critical care nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022-23. The study included a sample size of 106 critical care nurses in hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Sampling was carried out using a stratified random method. Data collection involved demographic, moral harassment, power harassment and resilience questionnaires. Analysis was performed using SPSS software version 19, with descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation test. Results: The study revealed that the mean±SD resilience score for nurses overall was 89.01±19.50, with mean±SD for moral harassment at 16.99±14.54 and power harassment at 66.9±9.31. Spearman’s correlation coefficient test showed a significant and poor relationship between power harassment and moral harassment among nurses (p<0.001, r=0.647), as well as a significant and negative relationship between power harassment and resilience (p<0.001, r=-0.357), and moral harassment and resilience (p<0.001, r=-0.387). Conclusion: Resilience plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of power and moral harassment in the workplace, impacting the perceived health of individuals. Resilience helps explain the distress caused by power harassment and moral harassment in the workplace. © 2026, Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council. All rights reserved.