Relationship Between Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, and Age.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between resilience, emotional intelligence (EI), and age in students enrolled in health care professional programs.

Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants by posting a survey link in health care courses at a midsized southeastern public university in the United States. The survey included 5 demographic questions, the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and the Brief Resilience Scale. A multiple linear regression model was conducted to examine the relationship between age, EI, and resilience.

Results: A total of 199 students participated in the study, consisting of 178 females (89.4%) and 21 males (10.6%). The collective study findings indicated a significant predictive relationship among EI, age, and resilience. The multiple linear regression findings were significant (F _2,194 = 58.48, P < .001, and R ² = 0.376), suggesting a predictive relationship among EI, age, and resilience. The coefficient of determination, R ², indicated that approximately 37.6% of the variance in resilience was explained by EI and age.

Discussion: The shortage in the health care workforce combined with increasing reports of burnout and attrition among workers emphasizes the critical role of education programs in preparing future health care professionals. Understanding the effect of EI and age on levels of resilience might help educators develop collaborative interventions. Educators should consider incorporating EI skills development in the curriculum to influence positive retention and clinical experiences for health care students that translate to their careers in the health care profession.

Conclusion: The significant predictive relationship of EI and age with resilience offers insight into the possible solution of increasing resilience skills by integrating EI in the curriculum.