Latent Profile Analysis of Moral Sensitivity and Influencing Factors Among Nursing Students in China

Aim This study aimed to analyse the latent profiles of moral sensitivity of nursing students and to explore the different types of influencing factors. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select nursing students from five hospitals in Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, from July to September 2024. The demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Nursing Student Moral Sensitivity Scale (MSQ‐ST) were used as survey tools. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed on the moral sensitivity of nursing students. Logistic regression was used to analyse the influencing factors of different profiles. Results A total of 805 nursing students completed the questionnaire, of which 787 were valid, with a validity rate of 97.76%. The results of latent profile analysis showed that the moral sensitivity of nursing students was divided into two latent profiles: “low moral sensitivity group” (18.68%) and “high moral sensitivity group” (81.32%), and the results of logistic regression analysis showed that the level of hospital, the length of internship and the frequency of training on moral education were the factors influencing the moral sensitivity of nursing students ( p < 0.05). Conclusion In this study, we have demonstrated that there are two categories of moral sensitivity in nursing students, and that demographic traits have an impact on moral sensitivity in nursing students. These findings may provide a valuable theoretical foundation for nursing educators in developing the moral awareness of nursing students. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.