Emotional intelligence and work engagement: the roles of work–life balance and job satisfaction

This study examines how emotional intelligence (EI) affects work–life balance (WLB), job satisfaction, and work engagement among Lebanese employees, drawing on the job demands–resources (JD–R) and spillover theories. Data were collected through an online survey from 244 Lebanese employees and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that emotional intelligence positively predicts job satisfaction (β = 0.366, p < 0.001) and work engagement (β = 0.307, p < 0.001). Emotional intelligence also significantly predicts work–life balance (β = 0.251, p < 0.001). Furthermore, work–life balance and job satisfaction sequentially mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and work engagement (indirect effect β = 0.046, p = 0.008), indicating partial mediation. These findings highlight the complementary roles of personal resources (emotional intelligence) and contextual resources (work–life balance) in shaping employee attitudes and behaviors. This research contributes to the limited literature and extends the study of emotional intelligence and employee well-being by offering fresh insights and practical implications. The research concludes with recommendations for policymakers by emphasizing the importance of aligning employee needs with organizational goals to create more effective and human-centered workplace policies. The study also includes limitations and recommendations for future research.