Understanding Emotional Intelligence, Coping Strategies, and Demographics Among Healthcare Professionals: Implications for Well-Being and Resilience

Fareeha Eranhikkal, Ghooman Ahirwar

Abstract: Healthcare professionals often experience heavy workload, emotional demands, and stressful working conditions, for which emotional intelligence (EI) and coping are key in maintaining well-being, resilience, and quality care. The purpose of this research was to explore the connection between EI, coping, and demographic variables among healthcare workers at a Saudi Arabian hospital, with implications for workforce resilience and organizational outcomes. An observational, cross-sectional analytical design was used, and data were gathered with validated tools: the Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Inventory (133 items) and the Multidimensional COPE Inventory (60 items). A planned questionnaire also obtained demographic variables (age, gender, marital status, occupation, contract type, work modality). Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed in STATA v17.0 using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation, and generalized linear models, with p < 0.05 as the criterion for significance. Results (N = 312) showed that nurses and nursing technicians comprised the majority of participants, with a female preponderance in accordance with global labor force trends. Mean EI and COPE scores were 347.9 (SD = 46.5) and 138.8 (SD = 22.3), respectively. Emotional adaptability and stress management were the most prominent EI facets, and empathy was lower. All correlations between EI and adaptive coping tactics, most notably planning (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) and positive reordering and growth (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), were high, but religious coping was weaker (r = 0.21, p < 0.01). These results indicate that greater EI supports the application of adaptive coping, which can insulate against stress and promote resilience. The study highlights the necessity for formal interventions, such as EI training and coping skill building, in order to decrease burnout and promote workforce sustainability in healthcare organizations.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Coping Styles, Healthcare Professionals, Resilience, Stress Management, Job Satisfaction, Saudi Arabia, Prevention of Burnout

How to Cite?: Fareeha Eranhikkal, Ghooman Ahirwar, "Understanding Emotional Intelligence, Coping Strategies, and Demographics Among Healthcare Professionals: Implications for Well-Being and Resilience", Volume 14 Issue 10, October 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1051-1059, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251017152035, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251017152035