Emotional Intelligence and Resilience as Predictors of Work-Related Stress among Health Professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The health profession has been characterized as consisting of high stressors and this is more pervasive in sub-Saharan Africa. Although various interventions aimed at managing stress have been investigated, little attention has been devoted to the contribution of emotional intelligence (EI) and resilience. The present study sought to examine the role of EI and resilience in the perception of stress among health professionals in Ghana. A convenient sample of 150 health workers domiciled in Ghana participated in the study by completing various questionnaires on EI, resilience, and stress. The results showed that while EI and resilience were positively related, both EI and resilience were negatively associated with work-related stress. Regression analysis further showed that EI was a significant negative predictor of stress. These findings have important implications for stress management among health professionals.