EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON WORKPLACE STRESS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This research examines the interconnections between emotional intelligence (EI), emotional labour, job stress, and well-being among Saudi Arabian healthcare professionals based on a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) method. A total of 312 returned questionnaires by healthcare workers were examined to investigate both direct and indirect influences of EI on job stress and well-being. The results indicate that EI is positively and significantly related to well-being (β = 0.78, p < 0.01) and negatively and significantly related to job stress (β = -0.52, p < 0.01). Moreover, emotional labour has also been found to mediate the relationship between EI and job stress, indicating that more effective emotional regulation through EI is able to alleviate workplace stress. The model indicated satisfactory fit indices, such as Comparative Fit Index (CFI = 0.93) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA = 0.06). These findings underscore the significance of EI in fostering well-being and reducing stress at work. Practical applications for healthcare management and policy in Saudi Arabia involve training programs to enhance EI among healthcare professionals to enhance job satisfaction and stress reduction. Future studies may investigate whether EI-based interventions are effective in longitudinal research to further confirm such findings.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Labor, Job Stress, Well-Being, Healthcare Professionals, Structural Equation Modelling, Saudi Arabia
