Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Psychosocial Risks on Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Nurses' Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Ana Soto-Rubio,María Del Carmen Giménez-Espert,Vicente Prado-Gascó

doi:10.3390/ijerph17217998

Ana Soto-Rubio, María Del Carmen Giménez-Espert + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217998

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Abstract

Nurses are exposed to psychosocial risks that can affect both psychological and physical health through stress. Prolonged stress at work can lead to burnout syndrome. An essential protective factor against psychosocial risks is emotional intelligence, which has been related to physical and psychological health, job satisfaction, increased job commitment, and burnout reduction. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of psychosocial risks and emotional intelligence on nurses’ health, well-being, burnout level, and job satisfaction during the rise and main peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. It is a cross-sectional study conducted on a convenience sample of 125 Spanish nurses. Multiple hierarchical linear regression models were calculated considering emotional intelligence levels, psychosocial demand factors (interpersonal conflict, lack of organizational justice, role conflict, and workload), social support and emotional work on burnout, job satisfaction, and nurses’ health. Finally, the moderating effect of emotional intelligence levels, psychosocial factors, social support, and emotional work on burnout, job satisfaction, and nurses’ health was calculated. Overall, this research data points to a protective effect of emotional intelligence against the adverse effects of psychosocial risks such as burnout, psychosomatic complaints, and a favorable effect on job satisfaction.

Highlights

Nurses play a crucial role in health systems, constituting approximately 60% of the professionals in this field [1,2]
Given the importance of relationships, emotional intelligence, and psychosocial risks in preventing burnout, increasing job satisfaction, and improving health, this study aims to analyze these relationships in the Spanish context during the pandemic
The crisis generated by the COVID-19 is not yet under control, neither in Spain nor in the world, and it is necessary to understand how different variables that influence the well-being of health professionals are related in this context of a pandemic

Summary

Introduction

Nurses play a crucial role in health systems, constituting approximately 60% of the professionals in this field [1,2]. Psychosocial risks have been related to health problems [6], work accidents [7,8,9], low job satisfaction [10], low work engagement [11], burnout [12,13], and work-related stress [14]. The latter is related to an increase in physiological pain and cardiovascular problems, a reduction in social interaction and the ability to concentrate at work, and a higher incidence of mental illness such as depression and anxiety [15].

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