Psychological empowerment and caring behaviours among NICU nurses in the West Bank: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Nurses in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) face significant emotional and clinical demands affecting caring behaviours. Psychological empowerment is linked to improved nursing outcomes, yet evidence from conflict-affected settings remains limited. Objective: This study examined the relationship between psychological empowerment and caring behaviours among NICU nurses in the West Bank, Palestine and identified predictors of caring behaviours. Methods: A multicentre descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used. In total, 178 NICU nurses across 12 hospitals participated (response rate: 178/200, 89.0%). Psychological empowerment was measured using Spreitzer’s 12-item scale (1–7); caring behaviours were assessed using the Caring Behaviours Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form (27–135). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were applied. Results: Mean age was 34.4 ± 7.5 years; 65.7% were female. Psychological empowerment was moderate-to-high (mean 4.6 ± 1.3), and caring behaviours were relatively high (mean 96.7 ± 14.5). Psychological empowerment was positively correlated with caring behaviours ( r = 0.696, p < 0.001) and was the only significant predictor ( B = 7.352), explaining 49.4% of variance. Conclusion: Psychological empowerment was strongly associated with caring behaviours, suggesting that empowerment-focused leadership and professional development strategies may support caring practice among NICU nurses.