J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2014 Nov;21(4):466-474. 10.7739/jkafn.2014.21.4.466.

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Stress Coping of Nurses

• Park HS
• Ha JH
• Lee MH
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2295625
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2014.21.4.466

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between emotional intelligence and stress coping of nurses in hospitals.
METHODS
The study was a descriptive-correlational study with a convenience sample of 298 nurses. Descriptive statistics t-test, Mann-Whitney U, One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
The results of this study were as follows; Emotional intelligence was higher in married nurses than unmarried nurses (t=-2.90, p=.004). Nurses with a clinical career of 4~7 years had better stress coping than nurses with shorter careers (F=5.60, p=.004). Ward nurses better stress coping than nurses in emergency rooms and Intensive care units (F=4.43, p=.013). Fixed shift nurses had better stress coping than nurses on rotation shifts (t=-2.37, p=.019). There was a significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and stress coping (r=.29, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that stress coping is better in nurses with higher emotional intelligence, 4~7 year clinical experience, working on ward a as well as having a fixed shift. However further development and application of programs which can improve nurses' emotional intelligence are needed.

Keyword

Emotional Intelligence; Nurses; Emotional Stress; Coping Behavior

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Emergency Service, Hospital
Emotional Intelligence*
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Single Person
Statistics as Topic
Stress, Psychological