Emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for effective patient care, communication, and stress management. A high EI score among nurses in high-pressure healthcare settings facilitates enhanced interpersonal difficulty management and empathetic care (1). The EI concept emerged from psychological studies on emotions, abilities, and thoughts in the 1990s and has expanded during the last 25 years (2). EI’s recent applications in nursing, management, education, and business demonstrate its broad relevance (1).

EI refers to “an individual’s ability to recognize and differentiate their own and others’ emotions to guide thoughts and actions.” It encompasses self-awareness, emotion regulation, relationship management, challenge tackling, delayed gratification, overcoming obstacles for sustained problem-solving, and being optimistic (2). EI significantly enhances teamwork, supportive work culture, and conflict resolution, particularly in the high-stress nursing profession (3). EI specifically promotes nurses’ self-awareness and management, social awareness, and relationship management by understanding others in various situations (4–7). Nurses’ higher EI leads to greater empathy, emotional control, and active listening for improved patient satisfaction with fewer medical errors and better compliance with treatment regimens (8).

Factors influencing EI among nurses include years of experience, gender, workplace environment, and access to training. Experienced nurses often develop higher EI through refined interpersonal skills, while supportive work environments and EI training enhance emotional regulation and empathy (9, 10). Conversely, high stress or limited training may hinder EI, negatively affecting care quality (10).

Petrides et al. described Trait EI as a combination of emotional tendencies and self-assessments present at the foundation of personality hierarchies, which can be evaluated using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) tool. The model highlights personal emotional experiences, such as adaptability, emotional control, and self-worth, as enduring traits instead of changeable skills. In the nursing profession, Trait EI reflects the influence of inherent emotional tendencies on wellbeing, resilience, and collaboration under stressful situations, while fulfilling the daily interpersonal demands (11, 12).

Previous EI-related studies primarily focused on nursing students and mental health nursing (13). There is a paucity of literature on EI among frontline nurses in general hospitals. The Saudi Arabian nursing sector operates within a rapidly progressing framework based on Vision 2030 (14). The revolutionary steps involve technological innovations, the Saudization of the nursing staff, and patient-centered care. These measures necessitate enhanced EI skills among nurses. Thus, EI investigation in this transitional period could facilitate decision-makers to devise novel strategies for improved EI among nurses.

Accordingly, the current study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the EI levels and the factors influencing them among nurses in general hospitals. The study aims to inform EI training strategies to improve patient care and team dynamics. It is grounded in the Trait Emotional Intelligence Theory using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF) (11, 12). The study seeks to answer a specific question: What are the EI levels among nurses in a general hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and what factors influence these levels? We hypothesize that nurses’ EI is significantly influenced by their sociodemographic and practical characteristics.

This study aimed to assess EI levels and identify influencing factors (e.g., experience, gender, nationality, department, and education) among nurses in a general hospital. The characteristics of the study group (n = 80) are presented in Table 1. The participants had an almost equal distribution of Saudi Arabian citizens (53.8%) and non-Saudis (46.3%), with a significant dominance of female nurses (92.5%). Most respondents (68.8%) were aged between 30 and 39 years old, whereas the majority (71.2%) had at least a bachelor’s degree, and only 28.8% were diploma holders. Approximately two-thirds (61.2%) of the nurses were married. Participants were gathered from various hospital units, with the highest participation from General Medicine (27.5%), Surgery (22.5%), and Obstetrics (15.0%) departments. The experience in their current specialty was noted as <5 years (31.3%), 5 to <10 years (30.0%), and 10 or more years (38.7%). Thus, the percentage remained slightly higher for individuals over 10 years of experience. The participants’ experience in the current hospital was reported as <5 years (30.0%), 5 to 10 years (30.0%), and >10 years (40.0%).

Table 2 presents the average EI scores at self-reported levels in different domains of participants. The table also demonstrates moderate and proportionate EI levels across the domains. Wellbeing recorded the highest score (3.7 ± 0.38), reflecting positive emotions and a sense of relative satisfaction and fulfillment among participants. It was followed by sociability (3.3 ± 0.42), which demonstrated a moderate level of comfort in social situations and personal connections. In contrast, self-control (3.2 ± 0.37) and emotionality (3.1 ± 0.41) scores remained comparatively lower. The global score of TEIQue (3.3 ± 0.33) presents a moderate EI assessment worldwide, which is aligned with the patterns of individual domains during this study.

Table 3 presents the mean response scores for perceived EI domains and overall TEIQue among nurses based on their characteristics. Wellbeing (3.7 ± 0.37) scores were significantly higher for female nurses than for their male counterparts, with a medium to large effect size (3.4 ± 0.42, p = 0.019, Cohen’s d = 0.66). Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed between genders in self-control, emotionality, sociability, and overall EI (TEIQue). Similarly, wellbeing (3.8 ± 0.37, p = 0.013, Cohen’s d = 0.570) and emotionality (3.2 ± 0.46, p = 0.023, Cohen’s d = 0.456) scores were significantly higher for non-Saudi nurses than for Saudi Arabian nurses, with a medium effect size. The nurses with <5 years of experience had significantly higher wellbeing (3.8 ± 0.43, p = 0.023, η² = 0.095) and overall EI (3.4 ± 0.40, p = 0.026, η² = 0.090) scores with a medium effect size. In contrast, the nurses with >10 years of experience presented the lowest scores. The degree-holding (bachelor’s or higher) nurses demonstrated significantly higher overall EI (3.4 ± 0.36, p = 0.034, η² = 0.056) scores with a relatively small effect size. Similarly, the nurses serving in Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments depicted notably higher EI levels, particularly in terms of self-control, emotionality, and sociability.

The regression analysis predicted EI among nurses based on specific work-related factors (Table 4). The significant intercept (B = 3.159, p < 0.001) represents the baseline EI level. It confirmed consistency across the sample population, whereas other variables presented non-significant associations. Years of expertise in the field did not notably impact the EI. Similarly, the education level (diploma vs. bachelor’s/postgraduate) did not significantly affect the EI during this study. However, working in the Obstetrics department/unit remained a statistically significant predictor (B = 0.376, p = 0.001), which suggested higher EI levels among nurses of the Obstetrics as compared to other departments (B = −0.108, p = 0.167). R²-value (0.131) depicted that 13.1% of changes in EI level can be attributed to the mentioned factors in addition to other factors, which significantly impacted the EI of nurses. Factors such as working hours or organizational policies were not examined due to the study’s focus on TEIQue-SF and sociodemographic/professional variables.

The study examined EI levels and their influencing factors among nurses from a general hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The results revealed moderate EI levels among participating nurses. Contrarily, studies in the United Kingdom have often reported higher EI scores among nurses (10). The contradiction could be due to the more reserved emotional trait in Saudi society. It could be potentially shaped by the cultural norms of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing communal harmony rather than the expression of personal emotions. This background might have enhanced a more reserved emotional profile among participating nurses (18). On the other hand, higher EI scores among Western nurses are associated with individualistic characteristics (8). Differential nursing education could also have contributed to the fact that Western nursing programs explicitly incorporate EI training, whereas technical skills have been the priority in Saudi curricula (19).

The findings highlight a positive association between nurses’ wellbeing and years of experience in the same profession, with less experienced nurses (<5 years) showing higher wellbeing scores than those with ≥10 years. This finding may reflect newer nurses’ higher enthusiasm, recent training, and openness to learn, which facilitates readiness to adapt to the work environment, increasing sense of wellbeing, whereas experienced nurses face emotional fatigue due to increased responsibilities (e.g., leadership roles and complex cases), leading to lower resilience in these challenging healthcare roles (20, 21). Sociability scores indicated moderate comfort in social interactions and relationship building, which is essential for communication and teamwork in healthcare settings and for patients’ wellbeing. However, it could be further improved to enhance teamwork and achieve positive patient outcomes (22, 23).

The data revealed gender disparities as well. Female nurses demonstrated significantly higher wellbeing scores than male nurses. These findings were aligned with a previous study that attributed this difference to social and psychological factors (24). Emotional expression and wellbeing are significantly influenced by gender roles in Saudi Arabian society. Women are taught to prioritize empathy and nurturing, which are crucial in caregiving jobs (25). Contrarily, Western studies attributed women’s elevated EI and wellbeing to flexible gender roles and socialization that enhance emotional skills (8). The difference between female nurses’ and male nurses’ mean scores, despite a modest effect size, indicates that female nurses may contribute unique emotional strengths, teamwork, and patient interaction. Further research is needed to explore the practical impacts within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare context.

Ethnicity also significantly impacted nurses’ wellbeing. Non-Saudi nurses demonstrated significantly higher wellbeing scores as compared to Saudi nurses. It could be attributed to better financial incentives and professional growth opportunities for expatriate nurses as they are recruited internationally at attractive salary packages. These benefits could promote their sense of wellbeing (26). Similarly, expatriate nurses demonstrated significantly higher emotionality scores. The tight-knit support groups of expatriate nurses might have contributed to this phenomenon. These groups provide shared cultural experiences and emotional support for enhanced emotionality (27). Moreover, expatriate nurses adapting to new environments should develop strong emotional resilience to address professional challenges away from their countries. This resilience helps in developing a positive emotional state for better stress management and sustained wellbeing (28).

The degree-holding nurses (bachelor’s or higher) exhibited higher EI levels than those with lower education. It suggests their improved empathy, self-awareness, and relationship management skills. Advanced education improves clinical capabilities and facilitates the development of empathy and emotional resilience (29). Higher EI scores of highly qualified nurses reflect their stress-management training and advanced patient interaction skills (30). Notably, EI levels were significantly higher among nurses from the Obstetrics department than their colleagues in other departments. It reveals their distinct interpersonal capabilities that are necessary for this particular field. Obstetrics, involving maternal and neonatal care, often requires stronger stress management, empathy, and patient-centered communication during emotionally charged situations. Nurses’ assistance to patients and families in these situations helps in developing higher EI levels (31).

The moderate EI levels (3.3 ± 0.33) observed in this study, particularly lower scores for self-control (3.2 ± 0.37) and emotionality (3.1 ± 0.41), could reflect the emotional demands of nursing roles in a high-pressure hospital setting, as influenced by measured factors such as experience, gender, nationality, department, and education [1]. In our view, the lower self-control and emotionality scores suggest that nurses face challenges in emotional regulation, potentially due to the intensity of patient interactions in units such as surgery or endoscopy, where EI demands are high [2]. Although factors such as workload or organizational policies may also influence EI, these were beyond the study’s scope but warrant future investigation [3]. Enhancing EI through targeted training could support nurses’ emotional skills, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of improving patient-centered care [4].

The moderate level of EI observed in nurses in the current study, particularly in self-control and emotionality, could reflect emotional needs in nursing practice under a high-pressure hospital setting, as influenced by the measured factors such as gender, nationality, years of experience in the same profession, and education. In our view, these lower scores suggest that nurses face substantial challenges in emotional regulation, potentially due to workload and demanding patient interactions in units such as Surgery or Endoscopy, where EI is critical (32). Although factors such as workload and organizational policies may influence EI, these were beyond the study’s scope but warrant further investigation. In addition, further studies are necessary to empirically investigate these dynamics. The application of established methods, such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory, could help in understanding their influence within the Middle Eastern healthcare system to deal with the modern challenges of healthcare workers.

The current study on nurses’ EI at a general hospital in Jeddah signifies its implications for nursing practice, education, and future investigations within the Saudi healthcare setting. The participating nurses exhibited moderate emotional competence, which necessitated improvement for enhanced clinical outcomes. Hospitals should arrange EI workshops emphasizing stress management and empathy, particularly for male nurses with lower EI. Future studies should involve longitudinal methodology to assess EI progression over time. Moreover, qualitative investigations are necessary to understand factors associated with wellbeing in female nurses while considering cultural influences such as gender roles. The study offers practical approaches to improve nursing practices and their wellbeing in Saudi Arabia. However, the extension of this investigation to rural areas could aid in assessing its applicability.

The study revealed moderate EI levels among nursing participants, with wellbeing being the highest component and self-control and emotionality being the lowest component, which were significantly influenced by gender, nationality, and years of experience in the same profession. Female nurses presented significantly better wellbeing scores, whereas wellbeing and emotionality scores were high in non-Saudi nurses. Interestingly, less experienced nurses scored an overall higher EI. Furthermore, nurses from the Obstetrics unit had the highest TEIQue global score. The strengths of the study include the application of a validated instrument (TEIQue-SF), and the inclusion of diverse demographic and professional traits enabled a deeper insight into EI-affecting factors in nurses. However, limitations involve the small sample and single-hospital setting, limiting the generalizability of the results. Besides, the inherited limitation of cross-sectional design indicates that a causal relationship between variables cannot be established.