The correlation of intrapersonal intelligence levels of nurses with their emotional contagion and caring behaviours

Aim

Determine the correlation of the intrapersonal intelligence levels of nurses with their emotional contagion and caring behaviours.

Background

Intrapersonal intelligence is an introverted concept that includes the capacity to understand and reflect one's self. A high level of intrapersonal intelligence contributes morally to the world and promotes success in professions with a heavy moral dimension. It is stated that emotional contagion, which is defined as the transfer of emotions and moods from one person to another, can occur in groups of two or more people. Within this context, nurses who are affected by emotional contagion may be more likely to withdraw from or desensitise to the people who cause this effect. Both situations may lead to the disruption of essential and non-deferrable care and formation of negative effects on nurses' caring behaviours.

Methods

The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 257 nurses working in the Gaziantep province. A “Personal Information Form”, the “Multiple Intelligence Inventory”, the “Emotional Contagion Scale” and “Caring Behaviours Inventory” were used as data collection tools in the study.

Results

It was found that the mean scores of the nurses were 39.76 ± 5.02 for Intrapersonal Intelligence, 50.09 ± 8.32 for Emotional Contagion, and 5.06 ± 0.75 for Caring Behaviours.

Conclusions

It was determined that the intrapersonal intelligence levels, emotional contagion and caring behaviour levels of the nurses were above average. As the intrapersonal intelligence levels of the participants increased, so did their emotional contagion and caring behaviours.