The relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout among mental health nurses in Morocco

The relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout among mental health nurses in MoroccoObjectives: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) levels and burnout in mental health nurses.Methods: The study sample comprised 112 nurses from three psychiatric hospitals in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima regional health authority.Data were collected using the Personal Information Questionnaire, the Wong and Law EI Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.Data were analyzed using Student's t-test, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression analysis.Results: The nurses' mean EI score was 27.616.5,while the mean burnout score was 24.067.3.A significant negative relationship was observed between burnout and EI scores (r=-0.352;p<0.05).In addition, a statistically significant difference was observed between demographic characteristics, including gender and marital status, and EI and burnout scores (p<0.05).Multiple regression analysis showed that three factors statistically significantly predicted burnout in nurses in the final regression model.These were gender (=0.466,p<0.05) and marital status (=0.386,p<0.05).However, total EI score was a significant negative predictor (=-0.454,p<0.05).Conclusion: EI has a strong influence on burnout.EI training programs should, therefore, be implemented to prevent and reduce the risk of burnout among mental health nurses.