Correlation between COVID-19 psychological symptoms and self-efficacy for handling work-family conflict

The relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), self-efficacy (SE), and work-family conflict (WFC) among medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Medical professionals were often subjected to emotional exhaustion due to prolonged working hours and excessive task demands, which contributed to conflicts between their professional responsibilities and personal lives. These conflicts were found to deplete emotional resources and negatively impact psychological well-being. Data were collected from a sample of 142 physicians using purposive sampling through online questionnaires. The Emotional Intelligence Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Work-Family Conflict Scale were employed to assess the relevant constructs. A significant inverse relationship was identified between WFC and both EI and SE. Medical professionals reporting higher levels of WFC were found to exhibit lower levels of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy, suggesting that work-family conflict undermines these psychological resources. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between EI and SE, indicating that higher emotional intelligence is associated with greater self-efficacy. These findings emphasize the importance of fostering emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among healthcare professionals to assist them in managing the emotional burden of balancing work and family demands. The need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing EI and SE—particularly among nurses, interns, and other frontline medical personnel—was underscored. Such interventions have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of WFC, improve emotional resilience, and promote a healthier work-life balance. The implementation of training programs, including seminars and workshops focused on emotional intelligence development, is advocated to better equip healthcare professionals to manage the dual pressures of their personal and professional roles.