The effect of emotional intelligence training on employed nurses

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Nurses are frequently exposed to anxiety-related problems. In fact, anxiety and stress can negatively affectnurses’ mental health and performance. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of emotional intelligencetraining on employed nurses in Sabzevar, Iran in 2014.Methods: In this experimental trial, 135 nurses working in Sabzevar hospitals were enrolled and randomly assigned to interventionand control groups. The subjects were evaluated, using a demographic questionnaire, Bar–On's emotional quotient inventory, andSpielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The intervention group was trained in six sessions by an expert. In the final session,the questionnaires were completed by the participants and analyzed. For statistical analysis, t-test and non-parametrical tests wereperformed. P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Based on the findings, 80% of the samples were female. The mean age of the participants was 32.11±6.68 years. Before theintervention, the difference between the two groups was insignificant (P>0.05), while after the intervention, a negative relationship wasfound between the STAI score and emotional intelligence in the two groups. Also, the difference between the groups regarding STAIscores was significant (P