Cited by 78Palliative and Oncologic CareReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Meaning in life and self-esteem help hospice nurses withstand prolonged exposure to death

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Barnett, Michael D., Moore, Jenna M., Garza, Caitlin J.·2019·Journal of Nursing Management

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between the presence of and search for meaning in life and self-esteem, psychological distress, burnout and affect among hospice nurses. BACKGROUND: The nature of hospice nursing may prompt existential concerns. METHOD: Hospice nurses (N = 90) completed an online survey. RESULTS: The presence of meaning in life was associated with lower psychological distress, burnout and negative affect, and higher levels of positive affect, whereas the search for meaning in life was only associated with higher negative affect. Self-esteem mediated the relationship between the presence of meaning in life and psychological distress, burnout and negative affect. CONCLUSION: The presence of meaning in life promotes self-esteem, which then buffers against negative outcomes. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Although managers cannot directly instil meaning in life in hospice nurses, they may be able to help nurses to find or maintain meaning by promoting policies that allow them to participate in meaningful personal, cultural or religious activities. Additionally, managers of hospice nurses could connect them with resources (e.g. mentors, counsellors or chaplains) to cope with the existential demands of providing end-of-life care.

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  • Having a meaningful life increases the feeling of self-worth, and these emotions could boost self-esteem.

    “In our research, having a meaningful life increases the feeling of self-worth, the positive emotion generated when individuals feel that their talents and personality are valued (Martela and Steger, 2016), and these emotions could boost self-esteem (Martela and Steger, 2016; Barnett et al., 2019).”

    From Mediator role of presence of meaning and self-esteem in the relationship of social support and death anxiety (2022) · cites this paper as Barnett et al., 2019

    The Results (§3.2.1) report a positive relationship between presence of meaning in life and self-esteem, and the Discussion says this is consistent with meaning boosting self-esteem. The paper does not establish that a feeling of self-worth, treated as a positive emotion, is what boosts self-esteem. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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  • Previous research implies a potential bidirectional association between presence of meaning and self-esteem.

    “Although previous research implies the potential bidirectional association between presence of meaning and self-esteem (Barnett et al., 2019; Lin, 2019; Zhang et al., 2019)”

    From Mediator role of presence of meaning and self-esteem in the relationship of social support and death anxiety (2022) · cites this paper as Barnett et al., 2019

    Section 3.2.1 reports a positive relationship between presence of meaning and self-esteem in hospice nurses. The Discussion interprets this as meaning potentially boosting self-esteem, while noting that the cross-sectional data cannot establish directionality. It does not report evidence that self-esteem also increases the presence of meaning, so the bidirectional part remains unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [9]9. Frankl, V. E. (1959/1985). Man's search for meaning (Rev. ed.). New York, NY: Washington Square Press.
  2. [12]12. In R. F. Baumeister (Ed.), Public self and private self (pp. 189-212). New York, NY: Springer-Verlag.
  3. [13]13. Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Pyszczynski, T., Rosenblatt, A., Burling, J., Lyon, D., & Simon, L. (1992). Assessing the terror management anal- ysis of self-esteem: Converging evidence of an anxiety-buffering function. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 913-922.
  4. [28]28. Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

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Authors
Barnett, M. D., Moore, J. M., & Garza, C. J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas at Tyler (US)
  • University of North Texas (US)
Corresponding author
Barnett, Michael D.
Venue
Journal of Nursing Management
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-01-21
Volume
27
Issue
4
Pages
775-780
ISSN
  • 0966-0429 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2834
OpenAlex
W2903332579
Cited by
78
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3
FWCI
5.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Nursing Management (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Keywords
meaning in life, self-esteem, hospice nurses, burnout, psychological distress, affect, existential concerns, end-of-life care, coping with death, mediation, nursing management
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Attitude of Health Personnel, Attitude to Death, Burnout, Professional, Female, Humans, Job Satisfaction, Male, Nurses, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Internet, Mindfulness, Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing

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