Correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Workplace Flourishing among Nurses Working in Critical Care Units

Abstract

Context: Emotional intelligence is a group of skills not related to mental capabilities and includes social competencies that enhance an individual's flourishing when confronting daily needs and stress. Emotional intelligence is crucial to one's intelligence for many people to achieve ascendency in their lives and professional careers. As human beings, success and, specifically, professional advancement relies upon a person's ability to recognize other personnel's signals and react to them appropriately.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the correlation between emotional intelligence and workplace flourishing among nurses working in critical care units.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlation design was utilized. The study was conducted at the critical care units in two hospitals, one public, and one private hospital; both hospitals are in Riyadh-KSA. The study used a systematic sampling of nurses working in critical care units at both hospitals (n=137). The data was collected using two tools: Genos EI self-report inventor, PERMA- Profiler model.

Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was revealed between total emotional intelligence and overall well-being domain of workplace flourishing (r=0.585, p <0.05), Happiness domain (r=0.430, p<o.o5), and Health domain (r= 0.370, p <0.05), and a statistically significant negative correlation between total emotional intelligence and loneliness (r=-0.184, p<0.05). Emotional intelligence scores were statistically significant single positive predictors of flourishing workplace scores.

Conclusion: The study results provide a pathway for researchers to better understand a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and workplace flourishing among critical care nurses, the statistical significance positive correlation between workplace flourishing and emotional intelligence in overall wellbeing, happiness, and health domain. A statistically significant correlation between negative emotion and loneliness domains. Emotional intelligence must be improved for all nurses and nurse managers by conducting continuing educational training programs about emotional traits and enhancing workplace flourishing.