Emotional intelligence and work engagement in crisis contexts: A cross-sectional study of intensive care nurses

Emotional intelligence is linked to work engagement, yet little research examines this relationship in crisisaffected healthcare systems. This study explored this relationship among intensive care unit nurses in Palestine's southern West Bank, where chronic adversity heightens the need for emotional skills. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design employed a convenience sample of 222 intensive care unit nurses from six hospitals between February 15 and April 12, 2025 (92.5% response rate). Participants had ≥ 6 months ICU experience. Data were collected using the original English versions of the Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were performed. Nurses showed high emotional intelligence (M = 116.1, SD = 12.3) and work engagement (M = 34.0, SD = 7.0). Emotional intelligence correlated strongly with work engagement (r = 0.740, p < 0.001). Regression showed emotional intelligence (β = 0.701, p < 0.001) and age (β = 0.399, p = 0.012) predicted work engagement, explaining 59.5% of variance (adjusted R2 = 0.587, F(6,215) = 79.96, p < 0.001). Crisis-informed emotional intelligence training, intergenerational mentorship pairing senior nurses (≥ 40 years) with junior colleagues, and targeted emotional support can strengthen work engagement among intensive care unit nurses under chronic stress.