Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Aim Patients’ outcomes could be improved by using emotional intelligence (EI) in communication. Many of the behavioral skills of nurses are shaped by their EI. This study aims to explore the relationship between the communication skills of nurses working in hospitals and their EI, emphasizi...

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Main Authors: Farid Ghrayeb, Kefah Zaben, Rabia H. Haddad, Nahid Ghrayeb, Mohammad Barhoush, Nashat Zuraikat, Ashraf J. Abuejheisheh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Nursing
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03679-5
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author Farid Ghrayeb
Kefah Zaben
Rabia H. Haddad
Nahid Ghrayeb
Mohammad Barhoush
Nashat Zuraikat
Ashraf J. Abuejheisheh
author_facet Farid Ghrayeb
Kefah Zaben
Rabia H. Haddad
Nahid Ghrayeb
Mohammad Barhoush
Nashat Zuraikat
Ashraf J. Abuejheisheh
author_sort Farid Ghrayeb
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aim Patients’ outcomes could be improved by using emotional intelligence (EI) in communication. Many of the behavioral skills of nurses are shaped by their EI. This study aims to explore the relationship between the communication skills of nurses working in hospitals and their EI, emphasizing the importance of communication abilities. Method This cross-sectional study included 350 nurses as a convenience sampling technique working in four government and private hospitals in the southern West Bank of Palestine. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: sociodemographic, EI Goleman’s questionnaire, and communication skills questionnaire. Participants completed a communication skills questionnaire developed by the researcher, along with Goleman’s EI Scale. The validity and reliability of the tools were assessed throughout the study. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation test in SPSS v27. Results The self-awareness dimension achieved the highest score of 25.50, whereas self-management recorded the lowest at 19.69, resulting in an estimated average EI score of 87.22. In terms of communication instruments, a total possible score ranges from 28 to 140, with higher mean scores indicating high EI. The overall average score for communication skills was 90.23. A significant correlation. For EI, a total possible score ranging from 28 to 140, with higher mean scores indicating high EI. was observed between the total EI score and the overall communication skills score (r = 0.542, p < 0.01), and all four EI dimensions were strongly correlated with the total communication skills score. Conclusion As EI and its dimensions positively influence nurses’ communication skills, hospital managers can enhance EI by organizing training sessions, promoting communication skills, and establishing a foundation for continuous improvement in hospital services. The in-service training, including monthly meetings and conferences, would benefit nurses by engaging them with EI. Using artificial intelligence could engage nurses in training sessions. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-137cb44a99f7445cb3089bcf8d25b1dd2025-08-20T03:04:31ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-08-012411810.1186/s12912-025-03679-5Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional studyFarid Ghrayeb0Kefah Zaben1Rabia H. Haddad2Nahid Ghrayeb3Mohammad Barhoush4Nashat Zuraikat5Ashraf J. Abuejheisheh6Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds UniversityNursing Department, Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds UniversityNursing Department, Philadelphia UniversityPalestinian Ministry of HealthPalestinian Ministry of HealthDepartment of Nursing, College of Health Services, Indiana University of PennsylvaniaNursing Department, Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds UniversityAbstract Aim Patients’ outcomes could be improved by using emotional intelligence (EI) in communication. Many of the behavioral skills of nurses are shaped by their EI. This study aims to explore the relationship between the communication skills of nurses working in hospitals and their EI, emphasizing the importance of communication abilities. Method This cross-sectional study included 350 nurses as a convenience sampling technique working in four government and private hospitals in the southern West Bank of Palestine. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: sociodemographic, EI Goleman’s questionnaire, and communication skills questionnaire. Participants completed a communication skills questionnaire developed by the researcher, along with Goleman’s EI Scale. The validity and reliability of the tools were assessed throughout the study. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation test in SPSS v27. Results The self-awareness dimension achieved the highest score of 25.50, whereas self-management recorded the lowest at 19.69, resulting in an estimated average EI score of 87.22. In terms of communication instruments, a total possible score ranges from 28 to 140, with higher mean scores indicating high EI. The overall average score for communication skills was 90.23. A significant correlation. For EI, a total possible score ranging from 28 to 140, with higher mean scores indicating high EI. was observed between the total EI score and the overall communication skills score (r = 0.542, p < 0.01), and all four EI dimensions were strongly correlated with the total communication skills score. Conclusion As EI and its dimensions positively influence nurses’ communication skills, hospital managers can enhance EI by organizing training sessions, promoting communication skills, and establishing a foundation for continuous improvement in hospital services. The in-service training, including monthly meetings and conferences, would benefit nurses by engaging them with EI. Using artificial intelligence could engage nurses in training sessions. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03679-5Emotional intelligenceCommunication skillsNursesPalestine
spellingShingle Farid Ghrayeb
Kefah Zaben
Rabia H. Haddad
Nahid Ghrayeb
Mohammad Barhoush
Nashat Zuraikat
Ashraf J. Abuejheisheh
Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study
BMC Nursing
Emotional intelligence
Communication skills
Nurses
Palestine
title Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study
title_full Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study
title_short Exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses: a cross-sectional study
title_sort exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills in nurses a cross sectional study
topic Emotional intelligence
Communication skills
Nurses
Palestine
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03679-5
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