The role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between burnout and perceived quality of care among oncology nurses

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationships between burnout, emotional intelligence, and perceived caring behaviours among oncology nurses and to assess the predictive and mediating roles of these variables in explaining caring behaviours. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 oncology nurses in T & uuml;rkiye. Data were collected using validated instruments measuring burnout, emotional intelligence, and caring behaviors. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. Results: Emotional intelligence was positively associated with caring behaviours (r = .359, p < .001) and negatively associated with burnout subdimensions. Caring behaviours were inversely related to emotional exhaustion (r = -.258, p < .001), depersonalisation (r = -.397, p < .001), and reduced personal accomplishment (r = -.214, p = .002). In the regression model (R2 = .214, p < .001), emotional intelligence significantly predicted caring behaviours positively ((3 = .218, p = .002), while depersonalisation was a significant negative predictor ((3 = -.288, p < .001). However, emotional intelligence did not mediate the relationship between burnout and caring behaviours (Sobel test p = .332). Conclusion: While emotional intelligence was positively associated with caring behaviours and buffered the impact of burnout-particularly depersonalisation-it did not mediate the relationship between burnout and caring. These findings support the value of enhancing emotional intelligence to improve care quality and nurse well-being, though contextual factors may influence its mediating role.