The impact of emotional and moral intelligence on nurses’ organizational commitment

Emotion control, adherence to ethics, and organizational commitment are among the widely addressed topics in response to turbulent and complex organizational environments. The aim of this study was to investigate emotional and moral intelligence and their effect on organizational commitment among nurses working in public hospitals.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 nurses. The data collection tools were standard questionnaires on emotional intelligence, moral intelligence, and organizational commitment. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression with SPSS23 software.

The mean scores indicated moderate levels of emotional and moral intelligence and a low levels of organizational commitment among nurses. There was a significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and moral intelligence with organizational commitment. Based on the results of multiple linear regression, components of emotional intelligence and moral intelligence, including responsibility, compassion, self-awareness, forgiveness, integrity, relationship management, self-management, and social awareness were identified as predictors of organizational commitment.

Emotional intelligence and moral intelligence were estimated to be at moderate levels, and organizational commitment among the nurses was at a low level. Improving emotional and moral intelligence may enhance nurses’ organizational commitment. Therefore, it is recommended that hospital managers provide training courses and workshops to improve nurses’ emotional and moral intelligence, which can, in turn, promote their organizational commitment.