Emotional Intelligence Profiles and Mobbing in Nursing: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Sensitivity to Anxiety

Abstract

The prevalence of mobbing among nurses in various countries is around 17–20%. Some researchers have attempted to explain the success or failure of adaptation to the work environment and teamwork and to buffer the effects of psychological harassment in the workplace by incorporating emotional intelligence into the mobbing context. As its main objectives, this quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study analyzed the relationship between emotional intelligence and mobbing as perceived by nurses and sought to establish the mediating roles of other variables involved, such as social support and sensitivity to anxiety. The final sample consisted of 1357 Spanish, self-selected nurses aged 22–58 from multiple healthcare institutions. The questionnaires (Perceived Psychological Harassment Questionnaire, The Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory, Brief Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3) were implemented on a web platform, which enabled the participants to complete them online. Descriptive analyses and mediation models were estimated. Personal characteristics related to high sensitivity to anxiety and low emotional intelligence implied greater presence of mobbing at work. This mobbing may be buffered if the person perceives enough support from family, friends or significant others. Our results recommend reinforcing the social support network of nursing personnel to improve the work climate and training them in emotional intelligence in university and on-the-job programs.

Preventing mobbing of nurses: a scoping review

“…Overall, little space is devoted to the prevention of mobbing in healthcare settings, although most authors agree that prevention is the most important measure in combating workplace mobbing (Ganz et al, 2015;Kim & Sim, 2021;Molero Jurado et al, 2021). As part of systemic measures, a legal definition of workplace mobbing is important, including clear sanctions that can be imposed in the event of a violation.…”

Estilo de vida saludable en la adolescencia: Relación con autoestima y diferencias según sexo

“…Cabe la necesidad de atender conductas positivas que ayuden a prevenir ciertos problemas emocionales que puedan darse en la adultez (Molero et al, 2021(Molero et al, , 2022Pérez-Fuentes et al, 2021). Promover un estilo de vida saludable en la adolescencia es importante, debido a que ayuda a disminuir diversos problemas como es una mala alimentación, menor riesgo de depresión, menor consumo de sustancias y potencia el bienestar personal de los jóvenes (Alfonsi et al, 2020;Bjerkan et al, 2022;Cutler et al, 2012;Fagan et al, 2022;Koinis-Mitchell et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2020;West et al, 2020;Ziso et al, 2022).…”

“…Adoptar un estilo de vida saludable durante la adolescencia puede ayudar a prevenir una amplia gama de problemas de salud, desde enfermedades crónicas hasta problemas emocionales y de comportamiento (Janssen & Leblanc, 2010). Presentar ciertos tipos de trastornos como ansiedad puede conllevar una mayor presencia de mobbing en el trabajo en la adultez (Molero et al, 2021), lo cual puede derivar en una menor satisfacción laboral (Pérez-Fuentes et al, 2021). Todo ello se encuentra relacionado con que la vivencia de cualquier tipo de violencia como es el ciberacoso se correlaciona con la presencia de síntomas de ansiedad y depresión (Molero et al, 2022).…”

Aggression and burnout in nurses during COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional study

“…Some interventions concentrate on educating nurses in the importance of reporting aggression and knowing how to protect themselves from it (Buterkos et al, 2020; Ferron et al, 2022). Social support has also been identified as an important factor for coping with such situations (Molero et al, 2021; Pérez‐Fuentes et al, 2021). Other authors mention the organizational climate as a cornerstone of either the prevention or instigation of violence against nurses (Blanco et al, 2019).…”