Relationship Between Nurses’ Emotional Intelligence, the Quality of Care Provided by Them, and the Anxiety of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Iran

Emotional intelligence enables nurses to manage their patients effectively. This study aims to assess the relationship between the emotional intelligence of nurses, the quality of care provided by them, and the anxiety of patients with type 2 diabetes in Iran.

This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 150 nurses working in the internal wards of Koosar Hospital (in Semnan), Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital (in Iranshahr), and Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital (in Tehran) in 2020-2021 and their patients with type 2 diabetes who were under their care for at least three consecutive days. A demographic form, Siberia Schering’s emotional intelligence questionnaires, the quality of nursing care scale, and Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory (only the state anxiety subscale) were used for data collection. Pearson correlation test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for data analysis.

There was a significant negative correlation between nurses’ emotional intelligence and patients’ anxiety (r=-0.375, P<0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between the quality of nursing care (and its dimensions) and nurses’ emotional intelligence (P>0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between the quality of nursing care (and its dimensions) and patients’ anxiety (P<0.05).

Emotional intelligence educational courses for graduated and undergraduate nurses in universities or hospitals, are recommended to improve their emotional intelligence and consequently, help diabetic patients manage their anxiety and have a better experience of nursing care.