Moral elevation, gratitude, and meaning in nurses’ positive mental health

Chengzhi Bai, Ruiru Liu, Hongxia Zhang, Department of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences, an University, Office of Medical Ethics, Department of Research and Education Administration, Xiantao First People, s Hospital

Nursing Ethics: An International Journal for Health Care Professionals

Published online on February 28, 2026

Abstract

Nursing Ethics, Volume 33, Issue 4, Page 1078-1093, June 2026.
BackgroundNurses often face moral distress and emotional strain, which can undermine psychological well-being and ethical engagement. From a positive ethics perspective, moral emotions may serve as resources for moral flourishing. Moral elevation – the ...