Hiney-Saunders, Kate (2025) Moral distress within clinical psychology. Doctoral thesis, University of Essex. DOI https://doi.org/10.5526/ERR-00041678
Hiney-Saunders, Kate (2025) Moral distress within clinical psychology. Doctoral thesis, University of Essex. DOI https://doi.org/10.5526/ERR-00041678
Hiney-Saunders, Kate (2025) Moral distress within clinical psychology. Doctoral thesis, University of Essex. DOI https://doi.org/10.5526/ERR-00041678
Abstract
This thesis explores the phenomenon of moral distress within the field of clinical psychology, a concept originally rooted in nursing but increasingly recognised across healthcare disciplines. Drawing on a scoping review and empirical research, the study investigates the correlates and predictors of moral distress within the UK clinical psychology workforce. The review identifies key contributors to moral distress, including ethical dilemmas, power imbalances, institutional limitations, and socio-political pressures that inhibit practitioners from acting in accordance with their moral or professional values. A quantitative approach was employed, comprising inferential analysis of survey data from a substantial dataset of 200 clinical psychologists and trainees. The results indicated significant positive correlations between moral distress, stress, and the intention to leave the profession. In contrast, moral distress was negatively correlated with job satisfaction. Notably, subscales measuring the frequency of moral distress were significant predictors of increased stress levels, reduced job satisfaction and intent to leave. With trainees reporting higher satisfaction and lower intent to leave than qualified psychologists. Age was negatively associated with levels of moral distress and job satisfaction, and positively associated with intent to leave, indicating that younger individuals reported higher distress, while older individuals reported lower satisfaction and greater turnover intentions. Women reported significantly higher average levels of distress on the level of distress subscale. Findings underscore the importance of addressing both individual and structural sources of moral distress and call for ethical, cultural, and systemic reforms. The thesis contributes to a growing discourse on the moral complexities faced by mental health professionals and highlights implications for training, policy, and clinical supervision.
Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | moral distress, occupational health, clinical psychology, moral harm |
Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health > Health and Social Care, School of |
Depositing User: | Kate Hiney-Saunders |
Date Deposited: | 06 Oct 2025 13:48 |
Last Modified: | 06 Oct 2025 13:48 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/41678 |
Available files
Filename: 2205306 .pdf