Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41482977›Full record

ReviewJournal of advanced nursing2026

Moral Distress Among Family Caregivers: A Concept Analysis.

Tharaa Ananzeh, Caroline F Morrison, Elaine L Miller, Natalie Kreitzer, Tamilyn Bakas

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Tharaa AnanzehCollege of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6341-5080
Caroline F MorrisonCollege of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6210-2027
Elaine L MillerCollege of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9074-7452
Natalie KreitzerCollege of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8392-4211
Tamilyn BakasCollege of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3235-5012

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo examine and define the concept of moral distress among family caregivers by identifying its key attributes, antecedents and consequences.

designConcept analysis.

methodsThis study was guided by Walker and Avant's concept analysis framework. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies, with 12 articles included in this analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles published between February 2000 and May 2025.

resultsThree defining attributes of moral distress in family caregivers were identified: self-directed negative emotions, internal conflict and feelings of powerlessness and helplessness. Antecedents included caregiving burden, role conflict, ethical dilemmas, complex decision-making and internal and external constraints. Consequences encompassed long-term health effects, social withdrawal, burnout and moral residue. These findings led to a conceptual definition of moral distress in family caregivers.

conclusionMoral distress in family caregivers is a significant and underrecognised issue that affects caregiver well-being and the quality of care they provide. This concept analysis offers a clear conceptual definition, providing a foundation for developing research instruments and interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Healthcare professionals should recognise moral distress in family caregivers as a key factor impacting both caregiver well-being and patient care. Support through education, counselling and peer groups can reduce moral distress and foster more ethical, collaborative care environments. IMPACT: This study addressed the lack of clarity surrounding moral distress in family caregivers. It identified key attributes, antecedents, and consequences, and developed a clear conceptual definition. These insights will inform research, practice and policy. The findings will benefit caregivers, improve patient care and support healthcare teams. REPORTING

methodThis study followed Walker and Avant's framework and employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in article selection. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public involvement.

Indexed as

CaregiversFamilyStress, PsychologicalEthical DilemmasFemaleHumansMaleRole Conflictcaregiving burdendecision‐makingethical dilemmasfamily caregiversinternal conflictmoral distress

Identifiers

PMID41482977
PMCPMC13356367

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.