Emotional intelligence as a mediator of anxiety and role ambiguity among nurses caring for critically ill geriatric patients

Abstract

Background: Critical care nurses caring for critically ill geriatric patients face pressures, including anxiety and role ambiguity, impairing their ability to do their jobs. In critical care settings, geriatric patients present special challenges due to their complex medical issues, frailty, cognitive impairments (such as dementia or delirium), and age-related elevated risks. Aim: Investigate the role of emotional intelligence as a mediator between anxiety and role ambiguity among nurses caring for critically ill geriatric patients. Methods: A descriptive correlational analytical research design was followed. The study subjects were selected using the purposive sampling technique and involved 250 Intensive care units at South Valley University hospitals in Qena City, Egypt. Four tools were used for data collection: sociodemographic and occupational data of critical care nurses, the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and Job Role ambiguity. Results: The study reported a significant negative relationship between ICU nurses’ emotional intelligence and anxiety level (r=-0.366, and P = 0.000), and a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and role ambiguity (r=-0.630, and P = 0.000), while a negative relationship was observed between anxiety and role ambiguity (r=-0.327, and P = 0.000). Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in managing anxiety and role ambiguity among nurses caring for critically ill geriatric patients. Fostering emotional intelligence can improve job satisfaction, job well-being, and patient care quality by clarifying role expectations. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.