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Table 1 Main characteristics of all eligible studies

From: The level of moral sensitivity among nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author

(year)

Country

Study design

Sample size

(female/male)

Age

(years)

Department

Education level

(n)

Work experience

(n)

Learning experiences in MS (n)

Instrument

(Likert/entries)

Average mean score (total mean score)

Ahansaz et al. [44]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

202(88/114)

30.95 ± 6.03

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

4.97 ± 0.72

(149.07 ± 21.60)

Tiryaki et al. [42]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

398(287/111)

24.24 ± 2.97

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (398)

≤ 5year (287)

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.02 ± 0.86

(90.49 ± 25.94)

Yildirim et al. [54]

(2022)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

245(209/36)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.10 ± 0.75

(92.89 ± 22.49)

Darzi-Ramandi et al. [51]

(2023)

Iran

cross-sectional study

211(166/45)

NR

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (182)

Master or above (29)

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.72 ± 0.54

(111.61 ± 16.10)

Üzar Özçetin et al. [57]

(2022)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

120(106/14)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

6.13 ± 0.72

(183.86 ± 21.52)

Taylan et al. [61]

(2021)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

156(144/12)

NR

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.78 ± 0.61

(83.37 ± 18.31)

Cerit et al. [65]

(2021)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

226(192/34)

31.03 ± 7.47

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.41 ± 0.89

(NR)

Kavurmacı et al. [71]

(2019)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

102(75/27)

27.68 ± 4.86

ICU

Bachelor or lower (102)

NR

Yes (73)

No (29)

MSQ

(7/30)

2.74 ± 0.70

(82.08 ± 21.13)

Palazoglu et al. [70]

(2019)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

236(112/124)

NR

Emergency

Bachelor or lower (224)

Master or above (12)

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.01 ± 0.60

(90.40 ± 18.10)

Basar et al. [75]

(2019)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

160(132/28)

30.10 ± 6.20

ICU

Bachelor or lower (152)

Master or above (8)

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.03 ± 0.66

(90.90 ± 19.90)

Goktas et al. [76]

(2023)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

362(296/66)

21.60 ± 4.24

ICU

Bachelor or lower (312)

Master or above (50)

≤ 5year (50)

≥ 10years (62)

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.02 ± 0.96

(90.70 ± 28.89)

Goo et al. [77]

(2024)

Korea

cross-sectional study

167(161/6)

31.16 ± 5.79

Pediatric

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

5.02 ± 0.59

(NR)

Arslan et al. [78]

(2018)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

200(178/22)

NR

Pediatric

Bachelor or lower (81)

≤ 5year (93)

≥ 10years (66)

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.20 ± 0.81

(95.89 ± 24.34)

Kumsar et al. [79]

(2021)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

689(606/83)

NR

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (611)

Master or above (78)

≥ 10years (357)

Yes (431)

No (95)

MSQ

(7/30)

3.08 ± 0.78

(NR)

Kulakaç et al. [80]

(2023)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

268(220/48)

28.08 ± 5.34

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.51 ± 0.63

(105.20 ± 18.80)

Erden MelikoÄŸlu et al. [81]

(2023)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

175(150/25)

28.89 ± 7.73

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.65 ± 0.66

(79.52 ± 19.76)

Tang et al. [100]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

331(254/77)

33.34 ± 7.52

Psychiatry

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

3.80 ± 0.60

(114.03 ± 18.01)

Sahiner. [109]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

350(229/121)

32.96 ± 7.41

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (133)

≥ 10years (165)

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.95 ± 0.88

(88.36 ± 26.33)

Kaya et al. [106]

(2022)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

171(141/30)

29.71 ± 7.36

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.58 ± 0.63

(77.5 ± 18.8)

Durmaz et al. [102]

(2023)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

131(94/37)

35.36 ± 6.37

Psychiatry

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.87 ± 0.67

(86.01 ± 20.01)

Kovanci et al. [107]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

302(274/28)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.94 ± 0.76

(NR)

Ozdemir et al. [108]

(2019)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

351(NR/NR)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.61 ± 0.59

(78.23 ± 17.66)

Shahvali et al. [111]

(2018)

Iran

cross-sectional study

77(NR/NR)

NR

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(5/30)

4.43 ± 0.56

(88.00 ± 10.51)

Kandemir et al. [104]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

201(147/54)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.98 ± 0.64

(89.33 ± 19.33)

Ilter et al. [103]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

144(95/49)

NR

ICU

Bachelor or lower (144)

≥ 10years (30)

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

4.16 ± 0.24

(124.88 ± 7.08)

Cerit et al. [101]

(2019)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

99(78/21)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

5.00 ± 0.85

(150.05 ± 25.41)

Sevinç et al. [110]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

713(581/132)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/30)

2.56 ± 0.90

(76.76 ± 26.91)

Karatepe et al. [105]

(2022)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

384(317/67)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(5/30)

5.19 ± 0.40

(3.79 ± 0.60)

Rezapour-Mirsaleh et al. [58]

(2022)

Iran

cross-sectional study

162(103/59)

33.70 ± 6.47

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ-R

(6/9)

5.46 ± 1.85

(41.12 ± 14.05)

Suazo et al. [67]

(2020)

Spanish

cross-sectional study

330(277/53)

32.30 ± 7.54

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ-R

(6/9)

5.58 ± 0.93

(NR)

Tang et al. [117]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

293(233/60)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ-R

(6/9)

5.32 ± 0.74

(40.01 ± 5.70)

Nobahar et al. [47]

(2023)

Iran

cross-sectional study

200(158/42)

32.70 ± 5.65

ICU

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.89 ± 0.54

(64.19 ± 13.43)

Sepehrirad et al. [62]

(2021)

Iran

cross-sectional study

132(92/40)

33.99 ± 5.85

Operating room

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.92 ± 0.81

(81.41 ± 20.22)

Afrasiabifar et al. [66]

(2021)

Iran

cross-sectional study

250(195/55)

32.60 ± 4.90

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.61 ± 0.44

(59.50 ± 11.10)

Khalighi et al. [68]

(2020)

Iran

cross-sectional study

110(63/47)

NR

ICU

Bachelor or lower (61)

Master or above (49)

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.59 ± 0.51

(59.21 ± 12.65)

Lotfi-Bejestani et al. [24]

(2023)

Iran

cross-sectional study

500(377/112)

37.59 ± 7.03

Psychiatry

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.63 ± 0.87

(59.81 ± 13.77)

Rahnama et al. [82]

(2017)

Iran

cross-sectional study

204(182/22)

34.00 ± 3.80

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.19 ± 0.38

(69.15 ± 5.70)

Borhani et al. [83]

(2015)

Iran

cross-sectional study

153(118/35)

32.90 ± 6.52

ICU

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.16 ± 0.51

(68.60 ± 7.80)

Mohammadi et al. [84]

(2022)

Iran

cross-sectional study

524(209/315)

33.89 ± 6.91

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (507)

Master or above (17)

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

5.64 ± 0.20

(93.41 ± 2.68)

Hajibabaee et al. [85]

(2022)

Iran

cross-sectional study

406(339/67)

37.66 ± 8.56

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.76 ± 0.46

(62.06 ± 11.49)

Nazari et al. [86]

(2022)

Iran

cross-sectional study

445(225/220)

39.41 ± 9.61

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (258)

Master or above (187)

≤ 5year (373)

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.18 ± 0.66

(52.29 ± 16.44)

Vasli et al. [87]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

145(116/29)

35.14 ± 8.36

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.85 ± 0.97

(63.45 ± 15.48)

Fouladi et al. [88]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

345(287/58)

32.19 ± 3.98

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.29 ± 0.69

(70.75 ± 10.83)

Zahednezhad et al. [89]

(2021)

Iran

cross-sectional study

181(138/43)

30.90 ± 4.90

ICU

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.29 ± 0.50

(70.85 ± 7.73)

Khorany et al. [90]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

250(139/111)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.87 ± 0.58

(63.85 ± 8.92)

Sedghi Goyaghaj et al. [91]

(2022)

Iran

cross-sectional study

160(99/61)

34.96 ± 7.83

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.94 ± 0.13

(81.71 ± 18.19)

Sharifnia et al. [92]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

330(273/57)

35.65 ± 6.53

Mixed

NR

≤ 5 years (66)

6-10years (98)

≥ 10years (166)

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.44 ± 0.63

(73.37 ± 9.78)

Bordbar et al. [114]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

385(256/129)

30.41 ± 8.15

Mixed

NR

≥ 10years (385)

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.33 ± 0.42

(71.55 ± 6.39)

Beiranvanda et al. [25]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

210(NR/NR)

36.01 ± 7.84

Oncology

Bachelor or lower (21)

Master or above (189)

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

3.54 ± 0.84

(58.40 ± 13.30)

Alamdar et al. [112]

(2024)

Iran

cross-sectional study

71(NR/NR)

33.98 ± 4.91

ICU

NR

NR

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

4.83 ± 1.44

(NR)

109(NR/NR)

Emergency

4.89 ± 1.72

(NR)

Moayedi et al. [116]

(2022)

Iran

cross-sectional study

221(204/17)

NR

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (213)

Master or above (8)

≥ 10years (77)

NR

L-MSQ

(5/25)

5.89 ± 2.72

(67.44 ± 3.52)

Kim et al. [13]

(2023)

Korea

cross-sectional study

123(119/4)

35.45 ± 7.60

Hemodialysis

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

4.88 ± 0.57

(NR)

Kim et al. [60]

(2022)

Korea

cross-sectional study

220(208/12)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

4.82 ± 0.19

(130.17 ± 4.82)

Lim et al. [63]

(2021)

Korea

cross-sectional study

171(162/9)

33.30 ± 8.10

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (151)

Master or above (20)

≤ 5 years (60)

6-10years (52)

≥ 10years (59)

Yes (143)

No (27)

K-MSQ

(7/27)

4.80 ± 0.50

(125.3 ± 13.5)

Jeong et al. [64]

(2021)

Korea

cross-sectional study

120(111/9)

33.88 ± 9.41

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

4.92 ± 0.49

(NR)

Kim et al. [73]

(2013)

Korea

cross-sectional study

303(NR)

30.35 ± 6.95

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

5.14 ± 0.55

(NR)

Kim et al. [93]

(2017)

Korea

cross-sectional study

163(137/26)

29.60 ± 6.99

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

5.00 ± 0.61

(NR)

Ahn et al. [94]

(2022)

Korea

cross-sectional study

166(152/14)

36.46 ± 9.30

Psychiatry

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

5.16 ± 0.41

(NR)

Bong et al. [95]

(2024)

Korea

cross-sectional study

209(201/8)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

4.91 ± 0.53

(NR)

Bae et al. [113]

(2024)

Korea

cross-sectional study

49(NR/NR)

34.8 ± 10.04

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

K-MSQ

(7/27)

5.12 ± 0.54

(NR)

54(NR/NR)

ICU

5.13 ± 0.64

(NR)

99(NR/NR)

Geriatrics

5.24 ± 0.54

(NR)

Jo et al. [115]

(2015)

Korea

cross-sectional study

344(NR/NR)

29.71 ± 7.39

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/28)

3.49 ± 0.37

(NR)

Khodaveisi et al. [26]

(2021)

Iran

cross-sectional study

405(220/185)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/28)

6.38 ± 0.07

(178.61 ± 1.98)

Amiri et al. [69]

(2020)

Iran

cross-sectional study

198(191/7)

31.19 ± 5.89

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/28)

4.62 ± 0.78

(NR)

Momennasab et al. [96]

(2023)

Iran

cross-sectional study

298(227/71)

30.69 ± 5.74

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/28)

4.79 ± 0.32

(134.08 ± 9.05)

Jaafarpour et al. [74]

(2012)

Iran

cross-sectional study

120(80/40)

34.00 ± 5.20

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ

(7/27)

3.08 ± 0.22

(112.3 ± 11.20)

Karaca et al. [133]

(2024)

Turkey

cross-sectional study

483(281/202)

31.67 ± 7.22

Mixed

NR

≤ 5 years (170)

6-10years (125)

≥ 10years (188)

NR

MSQ

(7/27)

4.16 ± 0.41

(83.05 ± 6.02)

Zhang et al. [20]

(2020)

China

cross-sectional study

525(505/20)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQ-R

(5/9)

5.46 ± 0.15

(NR)

Huanga et al. [27]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

341(334/7)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.66 ± 0.84

(42.61 ± 6.46)

Huangb et al. [43]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

197(158/39)

NR

Neurosurgery

Bachelor or lower (173)

Master or above (24)

≤ 5 years (84)

6-10years (69)

≥ 10years (44)

Yes (197)

No (197)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.62 ± 0.84

(35.20 ± 7.57)

Wu et al. [45]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

247(201/46)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.81 ± 0.38

(36.27 ± 3.02)

Pan et al. [46]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

432(365/67)

NR

Operating room

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.34 ± 0.68

(40.24 ± 5.28)

Liu et al. [48]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

230(NR)

NR

Hospice

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.75 ± 0.82

(35.78 ± 6.34)

Li et al. [49]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

438(417/21)

NR

Pediatric

NR

NR

Yes (333)

No (105)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.85 ± 0.87

(36.51 ± 6.71)

He et al. [50]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

450(NR)

NR

Psychiatry

NR

≤ 5 years (98)

6-10years (115)

≥ 10years (237)

Yes (401)

No (49)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.22 ± 0.78

(39.29 ± 6.05)

Cheng et al. [52]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

246(NR)

NR

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.78 ± 1.19

(35.98 ± 9.07)

Zhou [53]

(2022)

China

cross-sectional study

485(452/33)

NR

Pediatric

Bachelor or lower (190)

≤ 5 years (250)

6-10years (124)

≥ 10years (111)

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.09 ± 1.04

(38.34 ± 7.95)

Ye et al. [55]

(2022)

China

cross-sectional study

404(371/33)

NR

ICU

Bachelor or lower (391) Master or above (13)

≤ 5 years (72)

≥ 10years (54)

Yes (137)

No (267)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.23 ± 0.94

(39.41 ± 7.21)

Wu et al. [56]

(2022)

China

cross-sectional study

184(171/13)

NR

Hospice

Bachelor or lower (179)

Master or above (5)

≤ 5 years (150)

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.94 ± 0.71

(37.21 ± 5.51)

Ouyang et al. [59]

(2022)

China

cross-sectional study

305(273/32)

NR

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (140)

≥ 10years (155)

Yes (119)

No (65)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.52 ± 1.08

(41.59 ± 8.25)

Chen et al. [29]

(2022)

China

cross-sectional study

422(415/7)

29.86 ± 5.99

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.75 ± 1.07

(35.82 ± 8.17)

Huangc et al. [72]

(2016)

China

cross-sectional study

306(295/11)

29.16 ± 6.27

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.34 ± 0.92

(40.22 ± 7.08)

Zheng et al. [97]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

349(344/5)

NR

Oncology

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

6.03 ± 0.84

(45.36 ± 6.43)

Guo et al. [98]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

212(147/65)

35.35 ± 7.51

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

6.19 ± 0.98

(46.62 ± 7.55)

Jiang et al. [99]

(2021)

China

cross-sectional study

399(337/62)

31.53 ± 6.26

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.98 ± 0.92

(45.00 ± 7.09)

Jia et al. [119]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

182(133/49)

NR

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.96 ± 0.84

(44.89 ± 6.43)

Huangd et al. [122]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

524(521/3)

NR

Oncology

Bachelor or lower (519)

Master or above (5)

6-10years (130)

≥ 10years (163)

Yes (462)

No (62)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.92 ± 1.00

(44.57 ± 7.63)

Zhang et al. [124]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

274(226/48)

NR

ICU

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.45 ± 1.06

(41.01 ± 8.08)

Zhang et al. [123]

(2016)

China

cross-sectional study

476(456/20)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.58 ± 0.29

(NR)

Wang et al. [125]

(2022)

China

cross-sectional study

1094(1052/42)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.62 ± 0.98

(34.82 ± 7.49)

Meng [130]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

348(288/60)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

3.44 ± 0.77

(NR)

Peng [131]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

367(352/15)

34.44 ± 6.79

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (347)

Master or above (20)

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.19 ± 0.64

(NR)

Bai et al. [127]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

516(501/15)

NR

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (510)

Master or above (6)

≥ 10years (310)

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.32 ± 0.36

(NR)

Bai [126]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

642(622/20)

NR

Mixed

Bachelor or lower (635)

Master or above (7)

≥ 10years (186)

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.28 ± 0.36

(NR)

Liu [129]

(2023)

China

cross-sectional study

193(184/9)

NR

Oncology

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

4.82 ± 0.74

(36.30 ± 5.75)

Dong et al. [128]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

471(462/9)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.70 ± 1.05

(42.92 ± 8.05)

Qi et al. [132]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

302(270/32)

NR

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

6.21 ± 0.74

(46.74 ± 5.69)

Xu et al. [121]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

228(181/47)

23.78 ± 2.07

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.41 ± 0.03

(40.71 ± 0.39)

Pang et al. [120]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

321(277/44)

30.77 ± 5.33

ICU

Bachelor or lower (67)

NR

Yes (198)

No (123)

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.72 ± 0.77

(43.04 ± 5.95)

Chen et al. [118]

(2024)

China

cross-sectional study

465(442/23)

31.90 ± 6.43

Mixed

NR

NR

NR

MSQR-CV

(6/9)

5.27 ± 0.84

(39.69 ± 6.50)

  1. Note: SD, standard deviation; NR, not reported