The Role of Emotional Intelligence Program in Effective Nurses’ Management, Stress, and Conflict Resolution

Abstract

Background: The contemporary healthcare environment, characterized by high demands and interpersonal complexities, necessitates effective leadership to mitigate stress and manage conflict among nursing staff.  Aim: This study evaluate the impact of an emotional intelligence (EI) training program on nurse managers' leadership effectiveness, perceived stress levels, and conflict resolution strategies. Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental, pre-post design was employed. A sample: A convenient sample of 300 staff nurses from Sohag University Hospitals were included. Tools: Tool (1): self-administered questionnaire; it comprising two main sections  (I) personal data and (II) nurses’ knowledge regarding emotional intelligence, Tool (2): Emotional intelligence scale, Tool (3): occupational stress (PSS), Tool (4): conflict management styles (ROCI-II), and Tool (5):  perceived management effectiveness (PME) scale before and after participating in EI intervention program. Results: Consistently indicated that following the training program, participants demonstrated a significant increase in their overall emotional intelligence scores. The program was also associated with a significant decrease in self-reported stress levels, suggesting enhanced coping mechanisms and resilience. Furthermore, post-intervention assessments revealed a significant shift in conflict management preferences; managers were more likely to adopt collaborative and integrating conflict styles and less likely to use avoidance or dominating approaches . A strong positive correlation was found between improved EI competencies and enhanced leadership effectiveness, including better team cohesion and a more positive work environment. Conclusion: These findings underscore the critical role of emotional intelligence in effective nurse management and highlight the value of structured EI training programs as a practical intervention to improve managerial skills, reduce workplace stress, and foster constructive conflict resolution. Recommendations: Incorporating EI development into nursing leadership training is a vital strategy for enhancing organizational performance, improving job satisfaction, and ensuring quality patient care. Emotional intelligence training and development programs be integrated into nursing education curricula to enhance their competencies in leadership and conflict management.