Emotional intelligence and job satisfaction in UAE-based higher education: the mediating effect of self-efficacy among women employees

Purpose This study aimed to examine the link between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction and how this relationship is mediated by self-efficacy among women working in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methodology The sample of the study consisted of 346 higher education women employees selected by convenience sampling. The standardised tools were utilised to gather data on self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction. The study used a quantitative approach to test the hypotheses, employing the Structural Equation Model (SEM), to investigate the direct and mediating links between emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction. Findings According to the findings, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy have favourable effects on job satisfaction. Furthermore, self-efficacy acted as a potential mediator for the emotional intelligence variable in explaining job satisfaction in higher education women employees in the UAE. Research implications The findings suggest that enhancing both emotional intelligence and self-efficacy through targeted professional development can effectively improve job satisfaction among women in higher education.