The Contribution of Emotional Intelligence on the Components of Burnout : The Case of Health Care Sector Professionals

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of emotional intelligence on three components of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment) in health care professionals. Data were collected from a sample of 136 health care professionals (78 men, 58 women). The findings imply that the more emotionally intelligent health care professionals were, the less likely they were to experience emotional exhaustion and depersonalization whereas more likely they were to experience personal accomplishment. The results of multiple regression analyses indicate that doctors’ emotional appraisal&positive regulation appeared to be the only significant negative predictor of both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization whereas doctors’ empathic sensitivity and emotional appraisal&positive regulation are both significant predictor of personal accomplishment. Finally, the only significant demographic difference was found in doctors’ emotional intelligence and burnout with respect to marital status. The findings of this study provide crucial contribution to extending the body of literature and knowledge related with emotionally intelligent health care professionals that influences their burnout levels.