Relationship between emotional intelligence, stress, and burnout among dental hygiene students.

OBJECTIVE: Emotional intelligence (EI) is the recognition and management of emotions within oneself and others. Limited evidence exists that determine whether EI is related to stress and burnout. PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to determine whether relationships exist between EI, stress, and burnout levels among undergraduate dental hygiene students. METHODS: This study used a quantitative cross-sectional research design. The study instrument consisted of 3 parts: (1) The Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment Checklist consisted of 30-questions in 6 domains and measured EI; (2) The Modified Dental Environment Stress Questionnaire consisted of 39 questions in 5 domains and measured stress; and (3) The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Health Services Survey consisted of 22 questions in 3 domains and measured burnout. RESULTS: The responses from 57 participants were used (response rate = 93.3%). A moderate negative correlation was found between self-control and personal stress and a moderate negative correlation was found between empathy and emotional evaluation. Moderate positive correlations were found between self-awareness, empathy, motivation, self-competence, self-confidence, and total EI scores and personal accomplishment. Multiple linear regression analysis found self-control was a significant predictor of personal stress (R2  = .023, P = .023); empathy and self-competence were significant predictors of clinical stress (R2  = .085, P = .034); empathy and self-awareness were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion (R2  = .071, P = 0.006); and empathy was a predictor of personal accomplishment (R2  = .150, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Subcomponents of EI were found to be significant predictors of stress and burnout levels. Future research is needed to improve EI levels to tolerate stress and minimize burnout levels.