The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Professional Values, and Willingness to Work with Elderly Populations Among Nursing Students

Background and aims: Population aging has emerged as a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. As future members of the healthcare team, nursing students’ willingness to work with the elderly and the factors influencing this willingness are of critical importance. The present study aims to investigate the willingness to work with elderly populations and its relationship with emotional intelligence and professional values among Iranian nursing students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 246 nursing students, selected through convenience sampling methods. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics checklist, Weis and Schank’s Nursing Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R), a questionnaire assessing willingness to work with the elderly, and Siberia Schering’s Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Goleman model). Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.61 years (±1.57). The findings indicated that the willingness to work with the elderly (mean=57.41±16.02), emotional intelligence (mean=100.13±14.48), and professional values (mean=96.94±21.73) were all above average levels. Furthermore, the results revealed a positive relationship between willingness to work with the elderly and the professional values of nursing students (P>0.05), while a negative relationship was observed with emotional intelligence (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate a positive correlation between nursing students’ willingness to work with the elderly and their professional values, whereas a negative correlation was identified with emotional intelligence. Emphasizing the importance of professional values and providing a supportive practice environment that fosters positive experiences in caring for the elderly may enhance nursing students’ willingness to engage in this area of care.