Introduction

Emotional Intelligence (EI) plays a crucial role in influencing individuals' behavior, well-being, and performance. In the healthcare sector, professionals often face a challenging work environment, leading to a high incidence of Psychological Distress (PD). This, in turn, contributes to frequent conflicts, which affect not only healthcare workers but also patients and their families.

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to explore the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and conflict management among healthcare professionals, as well as to investigate how Psychological Distress (PD) impacts conflict resolution. Additionally, the study aims to assess the influence of age, specialization, and experience on EI, and to analyze how EI affects conflict resolution strategies. Finally, it examines how demographic factors shape preferences for conflict resolution in healthcare settings.

Methods

A total of 143 healthcare professionals from different regions of Greece participated in this study. Data were collected through electronic surveys, which included demographic information and assessments of Emotional Intelligence (using a specialized questionnaire), Psychological Distress (measured by the Kessler K6+ questionnaire), and Conflict Resolution strategies.

Results

Most participants were female (69.2%), with 42.7% aged between 46-55 and 30.8% aged between 36-45. Age was found to be significantly related to the EI dimensions of "Self-awareness" (P=0.032) and "Social Skills" (P=0.009 and 0.007). Negative correlations were identified between Psychological Distress and Emotional Intelligence dimensions (-0.46 to -0.19). Furthermore, PD negatively correlated with several Conflict Resolution factors: ‘Atmosphere’ (-0.20), ‘Doables’ (-0.28), ‘Mutual Benefit Agreements’ (-0.18), ‘Needs’ (-0.23), and ‘Extra Considerations’ (-0.27). Younger participants (below 35) had higher scores in "Power" (p=0.002), while those aged 46 and above scored higher in "Options" (p=0.002 and 0.009) in conflict resolution.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of Emotional Intelligence in healthcare, particularly its impact on Psychological Distress and conflict resolution. Strengthening EI skills may lead to improved emotional well-being and conflict management among healthcare professionals, ultimately enhancing patient care and staff satisfaction. Further research and tailored interventions are recommended to advance understanding and practice in this area