The Relationship Between Social Intelligence and Communication Skills in Nurses

Abstract

Background: Communication skills are essential for the quality of nursing care, and social intelligence significantly enhances these skills. Understanding the relationship between social intelligence and communication skills among nurses is crucial for improving patient care and healthcare outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between social intelligence and communication skills among nurses in the educational and therapeutic centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2024 to April 2025 and included 233 nurses from 12 educational-therapeutic hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Barton Communication Skills Questionnaire, and the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with communication skills. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 233 nurses, 57.9% were female and 42.1% were male. The findings showed a significant positive correlation between the total social intelligence score and communication skills (r = 0.32, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis (adjusted R-squared = 0.17), both age (B = -0.34, P = 0.005) and social intelligence (B = 0.19, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with communication skills after adjustment for other variables. Conclusions: Because social intelligence and its dimensions positively affect nurses’ communication skills, hospital managers can enhance social intelligence by providing training sessions, strengthening nurses’ communication skills, and creating an environment conducive to continuous improvement in hospital services. Strengthening these elements may improve the quality of healthcare services and increase patient satisfaction.