WLEIS as a Measure of Emotional Intelligence of Healthcare Professionals: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Abstract

Emotional intelligence has been extensively studied in healthcare practices worldwide. It is requisite for a reliable and valid instrument to measure the emotional intelligence of healthcare professionals in India. The Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS) has been a widely used tool to measure trait emotional intelligence. This study examines the validity of this scale in the healthcare context. The original 16 items WLEIS scale has been administered to 98 doctors of the Ahmedabad region of Gujarat. Two competing models, single factor and four factors have been tested against each other. Fit indices of four-factor model ( χ2 (98) = 111.61, ( p > 0.001), CMIN/df = 1.139, CFI = 0.987, SRMR = 0.059, RMSEA = 0.038 and PClose = 0.714) has excellent goodness of fit. Results of confirmatory factor analysis support the original four-factor model. The model also has acceptable reliability, convergent and discriminant validity. Further, in order to establish EI construct underneath four factors, secondary factor analysis has been performed. Standardized regression weight of only one dimension, that is, ‘Regulation of emotion’ is acceptable. All fit indices of the second-order model have an excellent fit. WLEIS is a valid instrument to measure the emotional intelligence of health professionals.