Work

The relationship between caring behaviors, professional dignity, and suicidal ideation among clinical nurses: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Caring behaviors are fundamental to nursing practice and patient safety. Professional dignity and suicidal ideation have been suggested as factors associated with caring behaviors; however, evidence regarding their simultaneous roles remains limited. This study examined the associations between caring behaviors, professional dignity, and suicidal ideation among clinical nurses. This cross-sectional study included 200 clinical nurses recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Perceived Clinical Nurses’ Professional Dignity Scale (PCNPDS), the Caring Dimensions Inventory (CDI-23), and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI). Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD), Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and a multiple linear regression were performed using SPSS version 26. Participants had a mean age of 33.59 ± 9.72 years and a mean work experience of 9.15 ± 8.57 years. The mean scores for caring behaviors, professional dignity, and suicidal ideation were 103.95 ± 11.74, 72.94 ± 15.03, and 2.13 ± 5.54, respectively. Professional dignity showed a significant positive correlation with caring behaviors ( r = 0.268, p < 0.001). Because suicidal ideation scores were right-skewed, Spearman’s rank correlation was used for associations involving suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was weakly and negatively correlated with caring behaviors (ρ = −0.162, p = 0.022) and professional dignity (ρ = −0.163, p = 0.021). In the final multiple linear regression model, professional dignity and work history were significantly positively associated with caring behaviors. After adjustment, each one-unit increase in professional dignity was associated with a 0.173-unit increase in caring behaviors scores, while each one-unit increase in work history was associated with a 0.331-unit increase in caring behaviors scores. Professional dignity was positively associated with caring behaviors, and work history was also significantly related to caring behaviors in this study. These findings suggest that professional dignity and work experience may represent important factors associated with caring behaviors. However, longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to further clarify the temporal and potentially causal nature of these relationships. Not applicable.

Source: BMC Nursing

DOI: 10.1186/s12912-026-05369-2

Authors: Fatemeh Moslemi, Kasra Anbarestani, Zahra Kordi, Zahra Tahanian, Ali Abbasi

Institutions: Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Education and Workforce Issues

Subfield: Leadership and Management

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090