Emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, well-being and engagement: Explaining organisational commitment and turnover intentions in policing

Abstract

This study examines the effect of emotional intelligence upon the job satisfaction, well-being and engagement of police officers in explaining their organisational commitment and turnover intentions. Survey responses from 193 police officers in Australia were analysed using partial least squares path modelling. As predicted, emotional intelligence leads to job satisfaction and well-being, with positive path relationships leading to employee engagement and organisational commitment, thereby affecting turnover intentions. Organisational commitment was found to partially mediate the causal relationship between employee engagement and turnover intentions. The findings of this research have important theoretical and practical implications for police officer retention. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.