Emotional Intelligence, Work, and Psychological Outcomes in a Public Service Context

Abstract

This study examines the role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between work context (conceptualised as job demands and job resources) and psychological outcomes (conceptualised as engagement and psychological well-being) in a sample of public sector employees (N=459). The Job Demands-Resources Scale (Rothmann et al., 2006), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (Schaufeli et al., 2002), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985), the Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Flett, 1983), and the Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte et al., 1998) were implemented in a cross-sectional design. Regression analyses showed that emotional intelligence had main effects on psychological outcomes. Emotional intelligence also moderated the effects of work context factors on psychological outcomes. Emotional intelligence is a valuable personal resource to cultivate for facilitation of psychological well-being in the workplace.

Keywords:

• emotional intelligence
• job demands
• job resources
• work engagement
• psychological well-being
• public service context