Effectiveness of emotional intelligence training on nurses' and nursing students' emotional intelligence, resilience, stress, and communication skills: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims: This study evaluates the effectiveness of emotional intelligence training on emotional intelligence, resilience, stress, and communication skills among nurses and nursing students. Design: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of emotional intelligence training in nurses and nursing students. Data sources: Randomised controlled trials were searched in MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Web of Science (via Ovid), ERIC (via ProQuest), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Igaku Chuo Zasshi databases from inception to 9-11 October 2024. Review methods: Two authors independently screened each study and assessed eligibility. Authors calculated the pooled effect estimates associated with nurses' and nursing students' emotional intelligence, resilience, stress, and communication skills using a random-effects meta-analytic model. Results: The search yielded 1731 studies from electronic databases. After removing duplicates, 1294 records remained. Following title and abstract screening, 34 studies qualified for full-text review, of which 11 studies were excluded based on inclusion criteria, leaving 23 studies for analysis. Emotional intelligence training significantly improved emotional intelligence compared to the control group (16 trials, N = 1155; SMD = 1.76 [95 % CI: 1.06 to 2.45]). It also had a significant effect in reducing stress (4 trials, N = 312; SMD =-1.51 [95 % CI:-2.96 to-0.07]) and demonstrated a significant positive effect on communication skills (4 trials, N = 329; SMD = 2.72 [95 % CI: 0.64 to 4.79]). However, it had no significant effect on resilience (2 trials, N = 138; SMD = 2.71 [95 % CI:-1.55 to 6.97]). Conclusions: This study found that emotional intelligence training had a statistically significant positive impact on enhancing emotional intelligence in nursing students and nurses in both the short and long term. It also significantly reduced stress and improved communication skills but had no significant effect on resilience.