The effect of training on the promotion of emotional intelligence and its indirect role in reducing job stress in the emergency department

Objective: The present study aimed at evaluating the role of training in improving emotional intelligence (EI) skills and assessing its indirect effect on reducing job stress in emergency medicine residents (EMRs). Methods: In the present study, 20 EMRs were trained for EI skills while 22 EMRs received no training. Then, all participants’ EI level and job stress were assessed and compared before and after the intervention using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory(EQ-I) and the Osipow job stress questionnaire, respectively. Results: The results of the present study revealed that the EI level in the training group with a mean score of 338.27±27.57 was significantly higher than the control group with a mean score of 320.50±28.50 after training intervention (P=0.043). In addition, job stress in the training group with a mean score of 170.82±16.11 was significantly lower than the control group with a mean score of 183.30±22.21 (P=0.045). Moreover, in the training group, the relationship between EI and job stress was inverse and significant (r=-0.746, P 0.001), but in the control group it was non-significant (r= 0.017, P=0.938). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, training for EI skills can play a significant role in improving EI and reducing stress in EMRs.