The Impact of Nurses’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Cultural Sensitivity on the Management of Patient Pain

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses’ attitudes and beliefs may impact pain management. This study investigated nurses’ perceptions regarding their own and patients’ pain experiences by examining relationships between pain cautiousness and stoicism, cultural sensitivity, and personal pain attitudes. Methodology: A correlational methodology examined nursing staff in a Midwestern private hospital. The sample included 102 primarily female (95.1%), Caucasian (97%), and married (66%) nursing staff. Measures included the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale, Pain Attitudes Questionnaire to Assess Stoicism and Cautiousness, and the Pain Management: Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitude Survey. Results: Cultural sensitivity was a significant predictor of pain knowledge and attitudes total score ( R2 = .081, β = .244, p = .040), while pain stoicism and pain cautiousness were not predictive. Discussion: Findings highlight the importance of nurses being aware of personal attitudes, beliefs, and cultural sensitivity in pain management. Results also demonstrate a gap between the knowledge and utilization of nonpharmacologic pain management interventions among nursing staff.