The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Coping Behaviors among Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses are expected to experience chronic stress and be involved in unhealthy actions more frequently due to the rising demands of medical care, which impact every aspect of their individual and professional lives. Individuals with higher emotional intelligence could cope and adjust to environmental changes and social constraints better than those with lower emotional intelligence. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the emotional intelligence and coping behaviors of nurses in the intensive care units (ICUs) in the West Bank. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional method done on convenience sample of 266 ICU nurses. Data collection was performed by “Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test” (SSEIT) and the “Coping Behavior Inventory”. Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS version 23. Pearson correlation was used to measure the relationship between the emotional intelligence and coping behaviors. Results: The analysis indicated that emotional intelligence was high (mean ± SD = 150.8 ± 2.1, range 33–165). Also, the analysis indicated that coping behavior of the participants was moderate (mean ± SD = 29.3 ± 15.2, range 0–76). Furthermore, the analysis indicated that there was a moderate positive relationship between nurses’ emotional intelligence and their coping behaviors. Conclusion: Coping behavior was indicated to have a moderately positive relationship with emotional intelligence. However, social skills or managing others’ emotions indicated low positive relationship and emotional intelligence. There is a negligible correlation between emotional intelligence and perception of emotions, managing emotions in the self, and utilizing emotions. Training in emotional intelligence is essential for nurses since it improves both their personal and professional life and coping mechanisms.