Table 4 Comparison of mean variances of total moral sensitivity and its dimensions in nursing students, immediately and three months after the intervention compared to before the intervention in three groups

Modifying autonomy

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

3.84 ± 1.31

3.52 ± 1.26

-0.16 ± 1.04

< 0.001

3.44 ± 1.41

2.52 ± 1.44

-0.08 ± 1.10

< 0.001

-0.40 ± 0.70

-1 ± 0.86

0.08 ± 1.10

< 0.001

Interpersonal orientation

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

5.12 ± 1.33

4.68 ± 1.95

0.08 ± 1.34

< 0.001

4.12 ± 1.50

2.82 ± 1.77

-0.12 ± 1.45

< 0.001

-1.00 ± 1.04

-1.84 ± 0.94

0.20 ± 1.28

< 0.001

Trust in medical knowledge and principles of care

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

2.64 ± 0.86

2.16 ± 1.74

0.08 ± 0.77

< 0.001

2.24 ± 0.92

1.44 ± 1.26

0.33 ± 1.09

< 0.001

-0.40 ± 0.64

-0.72 ± 0.89

0.25 ± 0.89

< 0.001

Experiencing moral conflict

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

3.40 ± 1.65

3.84 ± 1.81

0.37 ± 0.96

< 0.001

2.88 ± 1.45

2.56 ± 1.66

0.25 ± 1.22

< 0.001

-0.52 ± 0.82

-1.28 ± 0.93

-0.12 ± 0.94

< 0.001

Structuring moral meaning

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

6.80 ± 1.55

5.76 ± 2.16

-0.04 ± 1.16

< 0.001

5.80 ± 1.52

3.80 ± 1.93

0.25 ± 1.11

< 0.001

-1.00 ± 1.25

-1.96 ± 1.24

0.29 ± 1.12

0.001

Benevolence

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

8.96 ± 1.33

7.96 ± 2.58

0.12 ± 1.26

< 0.001

8.12 ± 1.71

5.40 ± 2.39

-0.33 ± 1.40

< 0.001

-0.84 ± 0.94

-2.56 ± 1.58

-0.45 ± 1.35

< 0.001

Total

problem-based learning

Reflective

Control

Kruskal-Wallis H test

30.76 ± 3.03

27.92 ± 7.56

0.45 ± 3.24

< 0.001

26.60 ± 3.50

18.56 ± 6.18

0.29 ± 2.92

< 0.001

-4.16 ± 2.39

-9.36 ± 3.13

-0.16 ± 2.31

< 0.001