The mediating role of autonomy attitudes in the relationship between nurses' professional values and mindfulness in care

Aim: This study was conducted to determine whether professional autonomy attitudes have a mediating role in the relationship between nurses' professional values and mindfulness in nursing care, and to evaluate the extent to which these variables influence each other. Material and Method: This study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study. The sample consisted of 313 nurses working in a university hospital who agreed to participate. Data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," the "Nursing Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R)," the "Nurses' Attitudes Toward Professional Autonomy Scale (NATPAS)," and the "Mindfulness in Nursing Care Scale (MNCS)," which was introduced to the literature in 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (Hayes PROCESS macro). Results: The mean scores were 120.10 ± 17.97 for NPVS-R, 76.13 ± 14.33 for NATPAS, and 50.21 ± 8.97 for MNCS. Positive significant correlations were found between professional values and autonomy attitude (r=0.207, p<0.001) and mindfulness (r=0.584, p<0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that autonomy attitude played a partial mediator role (β=0.049, p<0.05, 95% CI [0.017-0.082]) in the effect of professional values on mindfulness. Additionally, it was found that increased professional experience and membership in professional organizations significantly increased all scale scores. Conclusion: Nurses' professional values are the most fundamental predictor of mindfulness in care; however, the attitude of autonomous decision-making was found to be a mechanism that strengthens this process. It is concluded that supporting nurses' autonomous decision-making authority in the clinical field will enhance the level of mindfulness and the quality of care provided to the patient.