Associations among emotional intelligence, resilience and humanistic caring ability in nursing postgraduates: A response surface analysis and moderated mediation model

Abstract

Background The foundation of nursing work lies in providing humanistic care, and nursing education places significant emphasis on fostering the development of humanistic caring ability (HCA). The objective of the current research was to explore the correlations between emotional intelligence (EI), resilience, and HCA, thus providing a reference for cultivating HCA among Chinese nursing postgraduates. Methods A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 189 postgraduates in nursing were recruited from four Universities across Eastern and Central China, and the following instruments were included in the survey: the demographic information questionnaire, the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI). Correlation, response surface, and moderated mediation analyses were conducted. Results The average score of CAI for nursing postgraduates was 182.86 ± 17.70. The correlation analysis and response surface analysis results revealed a significant positive association of EI and resilience with HCA. Resilience (B = 0.311, BootSE = 0.075, 95% CI: 0.169 ~ 0.470) remarkably mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and HCA in nursing postgraduate students. The interaction between the master program and emotional intelligence was significant (B = 0.126, 95% CI: 0.004 ~ 0.248, P = 0.043). Conclusions Chinese nursing postgraduates had poor HCA. EI and resilience were identified as two positive factors associated with HCA, with resilience potentially mediating the correlation between EI and HCA. Additionally, the master’s program may play a moderating role between EI and resilience. Trial registration: ChiCTR2000038693. Registered on 28-09-2020.