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Journal : belitung nursing journal

Maternal guilt in the lives of female ICU nurses in South Kalimantan, Indonesia: A qualitative study Hairina, Yulia; Hartini, Nurul; Nursalam
Belitung Nursing Journal Vol. 12 No. 2 (2026): March - April
Publisher : Belitung Raya Publisher - Belitung Raya Foundation

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.33546/bnj.4329

Abstract

Background: Maternal guilt is a common emotional experience among working mothers, often associated with challenges in fulfilling both professional and caregiving roles. Female nurses, especially those working in intensive care units (ICUs), encounter pressures due to heavy workloads, irregular schedules, and the emotional intensity of patient care. These conditions make them particularly vulnerable to feelings of guilt when family responsibilities are perceived as being neglected. Objective: This study aimed to explore how maternal guilt is experienced in the personal and professional lives of female ICU nurses in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design using thematic analysis within a constructivist paradigm was employed. Ten married female ICU nurses who were mothers and had at least five years of ICU experience were purposively recruited through nurse managers from three regional public hospitals. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, with member checking and researcher triangulation used to enhance credibility. Interviews were conducted between March and June 2024, transcribed, translated, and analyzed following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) the internal burden of perceived inadequacy, reflected in persistent feelings of inadequacy, emotional exhaustion, cognitive overload, anxiety and sadness, and self-blame; (2) relational strain and compensatory parenting, including disrupted parent–child bonding, compensatory parenting behaviors, and increased emotional dependence on spouses; and (3) professional strain and competing care responsibilities, characterized by reduced work focus and distraction, fatigue and thoughts of resignation, and role conflict between professional and maternal responsibilities. These findings indicate that maternal guilt emerged as a multidimensional experience permeating both personal and professional domains. Conclusion: Maternal guilt emerged as a salient experience shaping nurse mothers’ emotional well-being, family relationships, and professional functioning. The findings suggest that collectivist cultural expectations and idealized motherhood norms may contribute to shaping the experience of guilt among Indonesian ICU nurses.  These insights underscore the need for supportive workplace policies, flexible scheduling, and accessible psychosocial services to sustain nurses’ well-being and retention in high-demand clinical environments.
Co-Authors Abd. Rasyid Syamsuri Abda Abda Aisya, Utiya Rihadatul Aliffia, Dhiza Aliya, Rahmah Amelia, Nor Mala Andini, Jeshira Anita Lestari ardalepa, nurdin Arianti, Susan Awwaliah, Rizkiah Chasanah, Iimmatul Desi Astuti Dzaky, Muhammad Tatsbitul Azmi Hisbullah Efendi, Ahmad Rizal Fadhila, Mahdia Fasha, Firzia Fitriyah Fitriyah Fitriyani, Nurhidayah Hamidah . Hartina, Siti Hartono Hartono Hayatunisa, Hayatunisa Imadduddin Imadduddin, I imadduddin, Imadduddin Imaddudin, Imadduddin Kamila, Muna Khairunnisa Khairunnisa Khairunnisa Laila Wati Lestari, Cecilia Joreva Lutfia, Helma Mahdia Fadhila Maimanah Maimanah Maisarah Maisarah, Maisarah Mariatul Kiftiah Masbila, Asmi Mubarak Mubarak Muhammad Zainal Abidin Mulyanti, Mulyani Munawaroh Munawaroh Mursinah Mursinah Musfichin musfichin, musfichin Nabilapitri, Nabilapitri Nana, Herliana Nida, Khairun Novisari, Novisari Nufus, Bahjatun Nursalam Nurul Hartini Radhwa, Najehah Baidha Rafliyannor, Rafliyannor Rahayu, Saidah Nafisah Rahmadhani, Putri Rahmah, Aisyah Rahmah, Siti Annisa Rahmanita, Amalia Raisya, Gusti Firda Ramadhani, Muhammad Wafi Ramadhani, Naila Putri Risnawati Risnawati Sa'adah, Nangimatus Saadah, Miftahul Aula Sabrina, Anisa Sagir, Ahmad Septiany, Medhia Shanty Komalasari Shanty Komalasari, Shanty Sholehah Sholehah, Sholehah Sholehah, Iis Siti Faridah Siti Fatimah Taufik Hidayat Wijaya, Waffa Saphira Izzati Wijayanti, Rahayu Putri Witjaksono, Bimo Hadi Wulandari, Eliza Yulianti, Sri Yuni Zulkifli, Muhammad Erwin Zulkifli, Munirah