“Moral distress” is a term coined in 1984 by philosopher Andrew Jameton to describe the suffering nurses experience when institutional or systemic barriers prevent them from acting with integrity, particularly when it comes to fundamental moral principles and ethical responsibilities. At times, actions deemed to be ethical are different from the ones a person would naturally choose or reach for if otherwise available.
When we are morally distressed, we often feel muzzled, restricted, devalued, unheard, or dismissed. We easily become fueled by anger, disgust, fear, and frustration. Over time, these emotions can fill us with anxiety, depletion, or depression. A sense of being fragmented can set in, leaving us to question who we or others are at their core and what the world is, generally. Research also shows that moral distress has long-term consequences, such as burnout, exhaustion, numbness, disconnection, and diminished moral sensitivity (also called “compassion fatigue”).
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