TRAIT EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, WORK ENGAGEMENT AND JOB SATISFACTION: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT

Abstract This study aims to investigate and assess how work engagement and trait emotional intelligence influence job satisfaction among healthcare workers at RSUD Kota Kendari, with psychological empowerment acting as a mediating variable. The study was conducted on 186 healthcare workers at RSUD Kota Kendari, including nurses and midwives. Data collection was carried out through the distribution of questionnaires to respondents. The data analysis technique used was the structural equation model - partial least square (SEM-PLS). The results of the data analysis show that work engagement has a significant positive impact on both psychological empowerment and job satisfaction of healthcare workers. Meanwhile, trait emotional intelligence positively influences psychological empowerment but does not affect job satisfaction. Furthermore, psychological empowerment was found to have a significant positive impact on job satisfaction. Psychological empowerment only plays a mediating role in the relationship between work engagement and job satisfaction of healthcare workers, not in the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and job satisfaction.