Ethical sensitivity questionnaire for nursing students: psychometric properties of the Persian version

Abstract

Objective: Nursing students’ ethical sensitivity is crucial for providing high-quality patient care. Assessing this sensitivity using standardized tools is essential for both students and professional nurses. This study aimed to determine the properties of cultural adaptation and the psychometric evaluation of the Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire for Nursing Students (ESQ-NS). Results: This methodological study, conducted between April and November 2023, involved 480 nursing students who were selected through convenience sampling. The ESQ-NS was translated into Persian following the method described by Wild et al. (2005). The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 27) and LISREL (version 8.8) software. The EFA and CFA validated a three-factor, 13-item structure for the assessment tool. The Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a positive and significant correlation between the items and their respective subscales of the overall scale. The reliability of the Persian version of the ESQ-NS was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.781, a MacDonald’s Omega coefficient of 0.78, and an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.78 (CI: 0.743- 0.816). The Persian version of the ESQ-NS demonstrates acceptable reliability and validity, making it a suitable tool for evaluating the ethical sensitivity of nursing students in Iran.