Correlation between emotional intelligence and negative emotions of front-line nurses during the COVID-19 epidemic: A cross-sectional study

A study of the correlation between residents' humanistic care skills and their level of emotional intelligence-A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

There is variability in the structure of junior doctors' knowledge of humanistic medicine. The level of residents' emotional intelligence affects their professional development and the doctor-patient relationship. Currently, there is a paucity of research examining the humanistic competence and emotional intelligence of medical residents, both domestically and internationally.The primary objective of this study was to scrutinize the prevailing status of residents' humanistic competence and emotional intelligence levels, aiming to assess the correlation between humanistic competence and emotional intelligence.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey using the Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Humanistic Care Competence Scale, and the Emotional Intelligence Scale was conducted in September 2022 among residents of a tertiary general hospital in Sichuan Province. The relationship between humanistic care competence scores and emotional intelligence scores among residents was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean score of residents' humanistic care competence was 188.82 ± 20.80, and the mean score of emotional intelligence was 87.08 ± 13.49.The Pearson correlation results demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.400, p = 0.000) between the level of emotional intelligence and humanistic care competence. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that self-emotional appraisal, emotional appraisal of others, emotional control, emotional use, and school community work experience independently predicted humanistic care competence.

CONCLUSION

The scores for residents' humanistic care competence were notably low, influenced by a multitude of factors that also exhibited varying levels of impact on emotional intelligence development. Emotional intelligence was positively associated with humanistic care competence. Emotional intelligence is an important consideration in the development, implementation, and evaluation of humanistic care interventions. Residency programs should provide education and training in humanistic competencies to improve residents' levels of emotional intelligence and promote the overall health of society.

Relationship between emotional intelligence and job stressors of psychiatric nurses: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

AIM

To investigate the impact of socio-demographic factors and job stressors on the emotional intelligence of psychiatric nurses.

BACKGROUND

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in enabling nurses to effectively manage their own emotions, comprehend the emotions of others and assist individuals in dealing with diverse stressors. Nevertheless, a comprehensive conceptualization of the relationship between job stressors and emotional intelligence remains lacking.

DESIGN

This study employs a multi-centre cross-sectional design.

METHODS

A multi-centre cross-sectional survey involving 1083 registered nurses from 11 psychiatric hospitals across four provinces in China was conducted. Non-probability sampling was utilised. The survey encompassed assessments of nurse job stressors, emotional intelligence using a scale and socio-demographic characteristics using a questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was applied to identify significant variables associated with emotional intelligence based on demographic attributes and various nurse job stressors. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

The findings revealed a noteworthy negative correlation between nurse job stressors and emotional intelligence. Socio-demographic factors and job stressors of certain nurses were able to predict emotional intelligence and its dimensions among psychiatric nurses, with percentages of 44.50%, 40.10%, 36.40%, 36.60% and 34.60%.

CONCLUSION

Providing emotional intelligence training for psychiatric nurses could enhance their capacity to cope effectively with workplace stress, particularly among younger nurses who engage in limited physical activities.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The analysis of the relationship between emotional intelligence and nurse job stressors could facilitate early detection and intervention by managers based on pertinent factors. This, in turn, could elevate the emotional intelligence level of psychiatric nurses.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This study did not recruit participants, so details of participants were not be involved.

COVID-19 victimization experience and university students' smartphone addiction: the mediating role of emotional intelligence

OBJECTIVES

During the post-COVID-19 era, everyone has the risk of contracting the virus and becoming the victims of COVID-19. Examining the relationship between the COVID-19 victimization experience and its effects is more urgent. The aim of present study is to propose a mediation model to investigate the association between COVID-19 victimization experience and smartphone addiction, and the mediating role of emotional intelligence.

METHODS

A online questionnaire including the COVID-19 Victimization Experience Scale, the Smartphone Addiction Scale, and the Emotional Intelligence Scale among Chinese university students, were employed in this study. Finally, 1154 valid questionnaires were collected. The reliability and confirmatory factor analysis results showed that all three scales had good reliability and validity.

RESULTS

Structural Equation Model (SEM) demonstrated that COVID-19 victimization experience significantly predicted smartphone addiction in university students, and emotional intelligence partially mediated the association between COVID-19 victimization experience and smartphone addiction. Bootstrap results furthermore tested the rigor of the mediating effect.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 victimization experience was a important variables in predicting university students's martphone addiction, and emotional intelligence was a protective factor in decreasing the negative effect of COVID-19 victimization experience on addictive behaviors. It is suggested that instructors should integrate emotional intelligence training programs into mental health courses so as to improve students' emotional intelligence ability.

Virtual Leadership and Nurses' Psychological Stress during COVID-19 in the Tertiary Hospitals of Pakistan: The Role of Emotional Intelligence

Although intelligence has been widely examined in the literature, the correlation of emotional intelligence (EI) has with virtual leadership, work stress, work burnout, and job performance in the nursing profession needs further consideration. Prior studies have confirmed that leadership style and emotional intelligence massively contribute to better outcomes in the nursing profession. Based on these confirmations, this research intended to explore the impact of virtual leadership and EI on work stress, work burnout, and job performance among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenient sampling technique was adopted to select the data sample. To analyze our hypotheses, 274 self-reported surveys were distributed in five tertiary hospitals in Pakistan through a cross-sectional quantitative research design. The hypotheses were tested with SmartPLS-3.3.9. Our findings revealed that virtual leadership and EI have considerably influenced nurses' work stress, burnout level, and job performance. The study concludes that EI significantly moderates virtual leadership and psychological stress among nurses.

Importance of Soft Skills in Health Sciences Students and Their Repercussion after the COVID-19 Epidemic: Scoping Review

Soft skills (SKs) are skills related to the interaction among people and their way of dealing with tasks. Increasingly valued in the workplace, they are especially relevant in health professionals due to the importance of the relationship among them and their patients and families. Given their importance, the university training of healthcare professionals must promote the development of SKs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a turning point in many areas, changing the learning process and, even more, the use of these soft skills as a fundamental ingredient in human relationships. The aim of this study was to analyse the available evidence regarding SKs in health science students, specifically nursing students, and to describe whether there is a worsening in the development of such skills after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the PRISMA-ScR methodology for systematic reviews, this study included articles on social skills and possible changes in these skills as a consequence of the pandemic in health sciences students The results highlight the importance of these emotional competences for future nurses, being particularly relevant for communication and emotional self-awareness and showing their influence on academic aspects, such as academic performance or mental health and coping skills. A major limitation of the present study was not considering aspects such as compassion or empathy. However, the novelty provided by this work is the analysis of the changes in SKs produced as a consequence of the pandemic. It is definitely clear that there is a need to enhance emotional intelligence, and thus soft skills, in future health professionals.

Profiling health professionals' personality traits, behaviour styles and emotional intelligence: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Non-cognitive traits have been theorised to predict characteristics, career choice and outcomes of health professionals and could represent a homogenous group. This study aims to profile and compare personality traits, behaviour styles and emotional intelligence of health practitioners across a variety of professions.

METHODS

Empirical literature was systematically reviewed. A two-concept search strategy was applied to four databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, ProQuest). Title/abstract and full text articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data was synthesised narratively and meta-aggregated where feasible.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty-one studies representing 153 assessment tools of personality (n = 83 studies), behaviour (n = 8), and emotional intelligence (n = 62) were included. Most studies (n = 171) explored personality (medicine, nursing, nursing assistants, dentistry, allied health, paramedics), revealing variation in traits across professions. Behaviour styles were least measured with only ten studies exploring these across four health professions (nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, psychology). Emotional intelligence (n = 146 studies) varied amongst professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiology) with all exhibiting average to above-average scores.

CONCLUSION

Personality traits, behaviour styles and emotional intelligence are all key characteristics of health professionals reported in the literature. There is both heterogeneity and homogeneity within and between professional groups. The characterisation and understanding of these non-cognitive traits will aid health professionals to understand their own non-cognitive features and how these might be useful in predicting performance with potential to adapt these to enhance success within their chosen profession.

Learning From Non-Practicing Registered Nurses

One way to increase the number of RNs during a global nursing shortage is to recruit those currently not working in health care to rejoin the workforce. The goal of this project was to assess the attitudes and perceived learning needs of nurses who are not working in health care. An online survey was distributed via social media nursing groups to a self-selected sample of nurses not working in health care for the previous 2 years. Although the response rate was low (n = 18), there was interesting discussion on re-entry to nursing practice. Top reasons stated for not re-entering the workforce included burnout/stress, workplace conditions, lack of education/skills, and pay. Pharmacology, skills, and technology were the top three self-identified learning needs of the participants. Limited programs offer education for re-entry to practice. Nurse educators should develop learning materials to meet the needs of this special population. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(11):486-490.].

Analysis of mental health effects among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Working on the frontline during the pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of health professionals. A significant proportion experienced anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress or depression. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Analysis and synthesis of the evidence of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses based on their work context. There exists a gap in the literature as no studies were found that analysed the effects on nurses' mental health according to the level of care they worked in (hospital-primary care-nursing home). WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: There is an urgent need to assess and respond to the impact of COVID-19 on the physical and mental well-being of nurses, and to monitor international policies for the improvement of nurses' working conditions. ABSTRACT: Introduction Health professionals have suffered negative consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic. No review has specifically addressed the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of nurses exclusively according to the work context. Aim To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses who have worked in hospitals, primary care centres and social health centres. Method PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Cochrane databases were searched (Prospero number: CRD42021249513). Out of 706 papers, 31 studies (2020-2021) were included in the systematic review. A qualitative synthesis method was used to analyse the data. Results Most studies were conducted in hospitals or frontline settings. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe symptoms was for anxiety 29.55%, depression 38.79%, posttraumatic stress disorder 29.8%, and insomnia 40.66%. Discussion This review highlights the mental health effects among nurses working in acute hospital settings. It also evidences a data gap on mental health effects among nurses working in primary health care and in nursing homes. Implications for practice In the post phase of the pandemic, there is an urgent need to assess and respond to the impact on the mental well-being of nurses, and to monitor international policies for the improvement of nurses' working conditions.

The relationships between novice nurses' emotions management skills and happiness levels: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

To determine the relationships between the novice nurses' emotional management skills and their happiness levels.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 398 novice nurses in Istanbul using a Nurse Fact Sheet, Emotions Management Skills Scale (EMSS), and the Oxford Happiness Scale Short Form.

FINDINGS

It was determined that the "Verbal expression of emotions," "Control of negative body response," and "Coping" subdimensions of the EMSS accounted for 21% of the variance in the total variable of the happiness scale (p < 0.001).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Novice nurses should be supported with training to improve their emotional management skills throughout their working lives, starting from the hospitalization phase. Factors that negatively affect nurses' happiness levels should be controlled.

Trends in State Anxiety during the Full Lockdown in Italy: The Role Played by COVID-19 Risk Perception and Trait Emotional Intelligence

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with mental health outcomes in the general population. This study assessed how state anxiety changed at different time points during the pandemic and how it was influenced by risk perception and trait emotional intelligence (trait EI). The study was conducted online in two data collections, at the beginning (wave 1, N = 1031) and at the end (wave 2, N = 700) of the lockdown. Participants were asked to self-report their state anxiety, risk perception of COVID-19 contagiousness, and trait EI. The interaction between risk perception and wave showed that, in wave 1 (but not in wave 2), anxiety increased as risk perception increased. Further, trait EI by wave interactions showed that effective (vs. ineffective) regulators experienced lower anxiety and this difference was larger in wave 2 than in wave 1. Because of the cross-sectional design of the study and the convenience sample we should be cautious when generalizing the present findings to the entire population. Our findings support the moderating role of trait EI on state anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This knowledge provides further support for the importance of EI in coping with uncertain and stressful environmental conditions such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The relationship between ego depletion and work alienation in Chinese nurses: A network analysis

Objectives

To investigate the network structure of ego depletion and work alienation in Chinese nurses and identify bridge items to provide suggestions to reduce ego depletion and work alienation.

Methods

A total of 353 nurses from three hospitals were enrolled in our cross-sectional study by convenience sampling from June to October 2021 in China. They completed an online survey, which included the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Nurses’ Work Alienation Questionnaire, and Self-Regulating Fatigue Scale (SRF-S). The R packages qgraph, networktools, and bootnet were used to estimate the network model and calculate the indices.

Results

The correlation between ego depletion and work alienation was mainly positive. The correlation between “Sometimes I do not know what to do with the work instructions from my superiors” and “I have difficulties remembering things” was the strongest among the cross-community correlations (r = 0.14). The bridge strength centrality indices of “Sometimes I do not know what to do with the work instructions from my superiors,” “I always feel like a loser” and “I have difficulties remembering things” were the highest (z score = 3.15, 2.83, 1.43). The correlation stability coefficient of the centrality index was larger than 0.25.

Conclusion

Nurses’ ego depletion and work alienation are correlated. “Sometimes I do not know what to do with the work instructions from my superiors,” “I always feel like a loser” and “I have difficulties remembering things” act as bridges between ego depletion and work alienation communities, and should be the focus of nurses’ psychological tests. Our study provides potential targets for interventions to reduce work alienation from the perspective of ego depletion.

Mental fatigue and negative emotion among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 is a major public health event affecting the people worldwide. Nurses are still under immense psychological pressure. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mental fatigue and negative emotions among frontline medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in August 2020, which included 419 medical staff between 17 to 28 years. The Fatigue Scale, Multidimensional Mental Flexibility Questionnaire, Cognitive Fusion Scale, and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Brief Version Scale were used. During the data collection period, the pandemic was under control in China and continued worldwide. The results indicated that 27.7% of the medical staff experienced depression, and 32.3% of them feel stressed. Specifically, first, correlation analyses showed significant positive pairwise correlations between mental fatigue, psychological inflexibility, cognitive fusion, and negative emotions among nurses. Second, mediation model tests showed statistically significant mediating effects of psychological inflexibility and cognitive fusion between mental fatigue on nurses' negative emotions, and statistically, significant chain mediating effects of psychological inflexibility and cognitive fusion. Mental fatigue indirectly affects nurses' negative effects through the mediating effects of psychological inflexibility, cognitive fusion, and the chain mediating effects of psychological inflexibility and cognitive fusion, respectively. the negative effects of mental fatigue come from impairment of cognitive functioning, and interventions using acceptance and commitment therapy for mental fatigue and negative emotions are more effective since both psychological inflexibility and cognitive fusion are important components of the therapy.

The Effect of Regional Factors on the Mental Health Status of Frontline Nurses and Patients With COVID-19 During COVID-19: The Role of Depression and Anxiety

At the end of 2019, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, experienced the ravages of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a few months, infected people rose to tens of thousands. This study aimed to explore the mental health status of military nurse personnel assisting (non-Hubei area) in the fight against COVID-19 and local nurse personnel (in the Wuhan area), as well as the differences in mental health status between nurses and COVID-19 patients that provide a reference basis for psychological crisis intervention. A convenience sampling method was used to select frontline nurses and COVID-19 patients (sample size 1,000+) from two mobile cabin hospitals from January to March 2020. The questionnaire consists of socio-demographic information, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), General Mental Health Service Questionnaire and Work Intensity and Physical Status Questionnaire. The results showed that depression was present in 117 nurses (19.73%) and 101 patients (23.33%) with PHQ-9 scores >10; anxiety was present in 60 nurses (10.12%) and 54 patients (12.47%) with GAD-7 >10. The anxiety and depression levels of nurses in Wuhan area were higher than those in non-Hubei area. The differences in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were also statistically significant (p < 0.001) when comparing patients from different regions, with anxiety and depression rates of 30.19 and 16.04% in local patients and 16.74 and 9.50% in foreign patients. The comparison between nurses and patients showed that the nurses were more depressed than the patients, while the patients were more anxious. Local nurses in Wuhan had a higher workload intensity than aid nurses (77.72 vs. 57.29%). Over 95% of frontline nurses and patients reported that they had not received any form of psychological counseling before the COVID-19 outbreak. 12.87% (26/194) of frontline nurses in Wuhan had a history of taking hypnotic drugs. However, fewer patients (16/212, 7.55%) took medication than frontline nurses. Anxiety and depression levels were far higher among local nurses and patients in Wuhan than in non-Hubei areas. The nurses had higher levels of depression, while the patients had higher anxiety levels. Providing targeted mental health services to healthcare professionals and patients is necessary when experiencing the impact of a major event.

Effects of Healthcare Organization Actions and Policies Related to COVID-19 on Perceived Organizational Support Among U.S. Internists: A National Study

GOAL

Perceived organizational support (POS) may promote healthcare worker mental health, but organizational factors that foster POS during the COVID-19 pandemic are unknown. The goals of this study were to identify actions and policies regarding COVID-19 that healthcare organizations can implement to promote POS and to evaluate the impact of POS on physicians' mental health, burnout, and intention to leave patient care.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional national survey with an online panel of internal medicine physicians from the American College of Physicians in September and October of 2020. POS was measured with a 4-item scale, based on items from Eisenberger's Perceived Organizational Support Scale that were adapted for the pandemic. Mental health outcomes and burnout were measured with short screening scales.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The response rate was 37.8% (N = 810). Three healthcare organization actions and policies were independently associated with higher levels of POS in a multiple linear regression model that included all actions and policies as well as potential confounding factors: opportunities to discuss ethical issues related to COVID-19 (β (regression coefficient) = 0.74, p = .001), adequate access to personal protective equipment (β = 1.00, p = .005), and leadership that listens to healthcare worker concerns regarding COVID-19 (β = 3.58, p < .001). Sanctioning workers who speak out on COVID-19 safety issues or refuse pandemic deployment was associated with lower POS (β = -2.06, p < .001). In multivariable logistic regression models, high POS was associated with approximately half the odds of screening positive for generalized anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, and intention to leave patient care within 5 years.

APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE

Our results suggest that healthcare organizations may be able to increase POS among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic by guaranteeing adequate personal protective equipment, making sure that leaders listen to concerns about COVID-19, and offering opportunities to discuss ethical concerns related to caring for patients with COVID-19. Other policies and actions such as rapid COVID-19 tests may be implemented for the safety of staff and patients, but the policies and actions associated with POS in multivariable models in this study are likely to have the largest positive impact on POS. Warning or sanctioning workers who refuse pandemic deployment or speak up about worker and patient safety is associated with lower POS and should be avoided. We also found that high degrees of POS are associated with lower rates of adverse outcomes. So, by implementing the tangible support policies positively associated with POS and avoiding punitive ones, healthcare organizations may be able to reduce adverse mental health outcomes and attrition among their physicians.

Relationship Between Nurses' Compassion Level and Emotional Intelligence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case of City Hospitals

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study is to determine the relationship between nurses' compassion level and emotional intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a sample of 218 nurses who volunteered to participate. Data were collected using the descriptive information form, the compassion scale (CS), and the revised Schutte emotional intelligence scale (RSEIS). Findings: The nurses' total CS score was 97.51 ± 1, and their total RSEIS score was 152.1 ± 14.8. In our study, a moderate, positive, and significant relationship was found between nurses' compassion level and emotional intelligence levels. Conclusions: It was determined that nurses within the scope of the study had a high level of compassion and a medium-high level of emotional intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Initiatives should be planned to develop emotional intelligence, which helps to minimize the negative effects of the pandemic on nurses and prevent negative emotions.

Students' negative emotions and their rational and irrational behaviors during COVID-19 outbreak

The pandemic has posed an intense threat to the mental health of younger adults. Despite significant efforts in studying various aspects of COVID-19, there is a dearth of evidence on how negative emotions are associated with behaviors. A comparison across associated factors to different negative emotions by means of a unified model is especially missing from the literature. This study was conducted by using the results of a survey conducted across 2,534 students enrolled in 7 states in the US. Various feelings such as sad, irritable, stress and guilt were analyzed in a unified model by means of seemingly unrelated regression (SUR). Questions were asked related to rationally limiting the spread of virus, and questions related to behaviors that seem to be extreme. Irrational behaviors, such as limiting exercise at home due to COVID-19 could be due to experiencing negative emotions, which distort the meaning of events for the students. That behavior, for instance, was found to be positively associated with various negative feelings. In addition, the results highlighted significant differences across emotions in terms of demographic characteristics such as gender and age, and various precautionary actions that students take, such as limiting outdoor activities or limiting social gathering. For instance, it was highlighted while avoiding a large group of people, in spite of its importance in curbing the spread of virus, is negatively associated with various negative emotions, taking a possible nonconsequential precaution of completely limiting all people outside the immediate family result in a higher level of negative emotions. Also, it was found that having a higher body mass index (BMI), self-rated worse health conditions, and limiting outdoor activities have detrimental effects on the mental health of students.

Helping Others Helps Me: Prosocial Behavior and Satisfaction With Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prosocial behavior (PsB) and its effects have been analyzed in times of crisis and natural disasters, although never before in the face of such exceptional circumstances as those created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research analyzes the role of PsB on satisfaction with life (SWL) in Colombia, considering the negative emotional impact of events that began in February 2020. We conduct an exploratory analysis using a sample of Colombia's general population (N = 2,574; 53.2% women) with an average age of 44.66 years (SD = 15.36). Using the Classification Tree technique, we find that engaging in one or more PsBs (e.g., donating money or sharing food) enhances SWL and decreases the impact of negative emotions such as pessimism, indecisiveness, and irritability that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings are significant because they confirm the importance of life satisfaction as a personal resource for coping with complex situations and provide evidence of the benefits of PsB on one's wellbeing.

Does Emotional Intelligence Increase Satisfaction with Life during COVID-19? The Mediating Role of Depression

COVID-19 has spread rapidly and become a health crisis around the world, and negatively affected the mental state of individuals. Emotional intelligence (EI) can play an important role in coping with the mental problems experienced due to the pandemic. This study examined how individuals' emotional intelligence levels affect depression and satisfaction with life during the COVID-19 period. The study was designed as quantitative and cross-sectional and reached 578 adult participants online. Emotional intelligence trait scale-short form, depression subscale (DASS-21), satisfaction with life scale, and sociodemographic questions as control variables were used as data collection tools in the study. The data obtained were conducted using SPSS 24, PROCESS-Macro, and Amos 25 statistical programs. The hypotheses established were tested by correlation, multiple regression, mediating, and moderating analyzes. Results confirmed that emotional intelligence had a positive association with satisfaction with life and a negative association with depression. In addition, interaction analyses found that age and family type had a moderating effect on satisfaction with life, and depression had a mediating effect. After discussing the importance of emotional intelligence as a coping mechanism in dealing with problems, some suggestions were made to policymakers and practitioners.

The relationship of nurses' psychological well-being with their coronaphobia and work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the relationship of nurses' psychological well-being with their coronaphobia and work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is a global life-threatening disease. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affects nurses' mental health. No studies have been conducted to determine the factors that affect nurses' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. If nurses' psychological well-being is impaired during the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of nursing care and the nurses' performance may be negatively affected.

DESIGN

This is a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) reporting guideline checklist for cross-sectional studies was used for reporting in this study.

METHODS

The study population consisted of the nurses working in a Health Application and Research Center in Turkey. Data were collected using Google forms between June-August 2020. The study sample consisted of 295 nurses who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study and used social media tools. The data were collected using a Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), the Work-Life Balance (WLB) Scale and the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) Scale. The factors that affect psychological well-being were determined using the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The nurses' work-life balance and psychological well-being were negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their COVID-19 phobia was mild-to-moderate level. The nurses' psychological well-being was significantly affected by the variable of neglecting life the most, followed by coronaphobia and work-life balance, which explain 75% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that coronaphobia experienced by nurses and work-life balance was related to their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers should take measures (regulating the working hours) to decrease nurses' COVID-19 phobia (education, counselling or psychotherapy) and work-life imbalance.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses' peers, managers and organisations need to take into account nurses' negative emotions and behaviours and organise training programmes to help them overcome their fears, communicate clearly and provide for their basic needs. Organisations, including managers and nurses, must recognise the distress being experienced by their nurses and create safe environments in which to have significant conversations. Nurses' mental health can be screened regularly by multidisciplinary teams, psychological support can be provided when required, and working hours can be regulated through appropriate shifts and breaks that will ensure work-life balance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses receiving emotional support from their families and friends (via chatting and sharing troubles) can also contribute positively. These measures and regulations will positively affect nurses' psychological well-being and contribute to an increase in the quality of care and nurses' performance.

Psychological distress among healthcare providers during COVID-19 in Asia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating effect on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare providers (HCPs) globally. This review is aimed at determining the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, fear, burnout and resilience and its associated factors among HCPs in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed literature search using 4 databases from Medline, Cinahl, PubMed and Scopus from inception up to March 15, 2021 and selected relevant cross-sectional studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot. Random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence while risk factors were reported in odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI.

RESULTS

We included 148 studies with 159,194 HCPs and the pooled prevalence for depression was 37.5% (95%CI: 33.8-41.3), anxiety 39.7(95%CI: 34.3-45.1), stress 36.4% (95%CI: 23.2-49.7), fear 71.3% (95%CI: 54.6-88.0), burnout 68.3% (95%CI: 54.0-82.5), and low resilience was 16.1% (95%CI: 12.8-19.4), respectively. The heterogeneity was high (I2>99.4%). Meta-analysis reported that both females (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.30-1.68) and nurses (OR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.02-1.45) were at increased risk of having depression and anxiety [(Female: OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.49-1.85), (Nurse: OR = 1.36; 95%CI = 1.16-1.58)]. Females were at increased risk of getting stress (OR = 1.59; 95%CI = 1.28-1.97).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, one third of HCPs suffered from depression, anxiety and stress and more than two third of HCPs suffered from fear and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.

Emotional intelligence training as a protective factor for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a major challenge to mental health and emotional wellbeing. The present study examined whether training in emotional intelligence (EI) skills, provided before the pandemic, would serve as a protective factor for sustaining mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.

METHODS

Data came from a longitudinal study (N = 89) that was initially designed to test the effectiveness of an EI training program versus a non-emotion-focused placebo program. The design and timing of the study were such that baseline and posttraining assessments of depression and anxiety had been completed before the pandemic, and planned 6-month follow-ups were serendipitously scheduled to occur after the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. This provided us with an unexpected real-world opportunity to investigate whether EI training would bolster emotional resilience to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Although mental health concerns generally increased after the start of the pandemic, individuals who completed the EI training program scored lower on depression, suicidal ideation, and state anxiety relative to individuals who had been assigned to the placebo training program.

CONCLUSION

Online EI training appears to be effective at sustaining critical aspects of mental health during a subsequent real-life crisis.

The relationship between pharmacist emotional intelligence, occupational stress, job performance, and psychological affective well-being

BACKGROUND

Emotional intelligence (EI) is known to improve teamwork, communication, and organizational commitment. The role of EI has also influenced pharmacists' ability to empathize, control emotions, and actively listen. Although EI's impact on work-related components, including occupational stress, job performance, and psychological affective well-being, has been studied, there are no data specific to the practice of pharmacy.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a significant correlation exists between pharmacist EI and work-related components.

METHODS

A voluntary Qualtrics survey (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) was distributed electronically to all active pharmacists licensed by the Florida Board of Pharmacy, which included questions from valid and reliable assessment tools. Spearman correlations were used to examine the association between EI facets and dependent variables of occupational stress, job performance, and psychological affective well-being. A subanalysis was conducted to evaluate demographic data. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 for all tests. Incomplete survey responses were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 942 responses were received and analyzed. Most of the respondents were aged 44 years or younger (42.5%), female (46.9%), identified as Caucasian (52.8%), and worked 31-40 hours weekly (20.6%). Most of the respondents reported a primary employment setting within community (29.3%) or hospital (18.6%) pharmacy. Higher EI correlated with lower levels of occupational stress, higher job performance, and higher psychological affective well-being. Secondary outcomes reported increased stress for both females and those practicing in the community setting; hospital-based pharmacists reported higher job performance and psychological affective well-being. Stress decreased with both age and years of experience.

CONCLUSION

Higher EI may support overall wellness for pharmacists on the basis of the results of this study. Additional evaluation of demographic data, including practice settings, and a more robust cohort of participants would provide more insight in this area.

Emotional Intelligence and Professional Boredom among Nursing Personnel in Greece

Occupational (professional) boredom results in low performance at work. It has been positively associated with high levels of anxiety and depression as well as premature death. However, occupational boredom has not been extensively studied among working nurses. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and occupational boredom in nurses working in both public (52.9%) and private (47.1%) health units in Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 189 nurses (84.7% females) with an average age of 40 years. Emotional intelligence was evaluated with the use of The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form and Professional boredom was assessed with the use of the Boredom Proneness Scale. The majority of Nurses showed relatively high values of total Emotional Intelligence (EI), and marginally low values of overall Professional Boredom. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the overall Professional Boredom of Nurses and the Well-being, Self-control, Emotionality and Sociability subscales of EI, as well as total EI (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the three dimensions of EI (Well-being, Self-Control and Emotionality) explained 39.0% of the variability of the total Professional Boredom of the working Nurses.

Mental Health Status and Its Influencing Factors: The Case of Nurses Working in COVID-19 Hospitals in South Korea

The mental health of nurses participating in patient care is under threat amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to identify the mental health status (depression, anxiety, and stress) and its influencing factors on nurses who provided patient care at a specialized hospital for COVID-19 in South Korea. Of the 180 nurses who participated in this study, 30.6% had moderate or higher levels of depression, 41% had moderate or higher anxiety levels, and 19.4% had moderate or higher stress levels. In this study, stigma influenced nurses’ mental health, such that the higher the stigma, the higher the nurses’ depression, anxiety, and stress. Depression was higher in female nurses than in male nurses, and stress was higher in charge nurses than nurses in other job positions. Therefore, a management program should be designed to improve the mental health of nurses during the current pandemic. In particular, a solution to reduce stigma is required, and the mental health of female nurses and nurses in leadership roles requires special attention.

Protecting Nurses from Mistreatment by Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Roles of Emotional Contagion Susceptibility and Emotional Regulation Ability

In recent years, patient mistreatment of healthcare workers, especially nurses, has been frequent, endangering the interests of organizations while also threatening nurses’ own development. This study aims to examine from the perspective of nurses’ personal interests whether mistreatment by patients decreases nurses’ workplace well-being and career commitment, and how their susceptibility to emotional contagion and emotional regulation ability might mitigate these negative effects. This study adopted a cross-sectional study design (data were collected through self-reported questionnaires with a two-month time lag between the months of August–October 2017). A total of 289 nurses from three hospitals in Shandong province, China, were recruited to participate in our study. The results reveal that mistreatment by patients is negatively related to nurses’ workplace well-being and career commitment. Emotional contagion susceptibility moderates the relationships between mistreatment by patients and career commitment, while there is no significant buffering effect of mistreatment by patients on workplace well-being. Emotional regulation ability moderates the relationships between mistreatment by patients and both workplace well-being and career commitment. These results suggest that improvements in nurses’ emotional regulation ability and susceptibility to emotional contagion can alleviate the harmful impacts of mistreatment by patients.

Death Anxiety in Social Workers as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all social spaces, conditioning our daily routines, including those at work. All professions have been affected by stressful situations and anxiety in the proximity's face of death generated by the pandemic. In this context, some professionals have emerged as essential, as social workers, acting in extreme situations in the face of increased demands and social uncertainty arising from the health crisis. The present study aimed to determine the levels of anxiety about death among social workers in Spain. For this purpose, an ad hoc questionnaire was designed, taking the Collett and Lester Fear of Death Scale as a reference (n = 304). The exploitation of the data was carried out from a quantitative perspective. First, a descriptive analysis was performed. Then, binary logistic regressions were carried out on the general scale. The dependent variable in all of them was the risk of suffering death anxiety to the set of its subscales. The main research results show high values of this anxiety in social workers concerning the general value of the scale-and the subscales-and the point of view of state and process. The highest values were Fear of Death of Others (81.6%) and Fear of the Process of Dying of Others (78.3%). Regarding the binary logistic regressions applied, predictor variables were identified in all of them, but the following stand out: Lack of personal protection equipment and Need psychological or psychiatric support. In addition, being a woman increases the risk of suffering Fear of the Dying Process of others.