Associations between the nursing work environment and emotional intelligence among nurses in Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract Background The nursing work environment is associated with emotional intelligence (EI), an important attribute related to professional functioning, communication, and psychological well-being among nurses. However, evidence regarding which dimensions of the nursing work environment are associated with EI remains limited, particularly in Malaysian public healthcare settings. Aim To examine the associations between five dimensions of the nursing work environment and three dimensions of emotional intelligence among nurses in Sabah, Malaysia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among registered nurses working in public hospitals and health clinics in Sabah, Malaysia. Of the 4,000 distributed questionnaires, 3,359 were retained for analysis following data screening. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results Collegial nurse-physician relations were positively associated with Emotional Skills (ES), Social Skills (SS), and Global Emotional Intelligence (GEI). Nursing foundations for quality care and nurse participation in hospital affairs were positively associated with SS and GEI, whereas nurse manager ability, leadership and support were positively associated with ES and GEI. Staffing and resource adequacy demonstrated significant negative associations with all EI dimensions. However, supplementary analyses suggested that these findings may reflect a suppression effect and should therefore be interpreted with caution. Conclusion Several dimensions of the nursing work environment were significantly associated with emotional intelligence among nurses. Collegial nurse-physician relations, participation in hospital affairs, quality-oriented nursing practice environments, and leadership support were associated with more favourable emotional intelligence outcomes, although the observed relationships were generally modest. Future longitudinal and post-pandemic studies are needed to clarify the practical significance and stability of these associations.