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

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.

The purpose of this project was to determine whether relationships exist between EI, stress, and burnout levels among undergraduate dental hygiene students.

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.

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).

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.