Emotional Intelligence and Job Stress in Indian Healthcare: A Positive Psychology and Human Rights Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between positive psychological traits, emotional intelligence (EI), and job stress among healthcare professionals in Uttar Pradesh, India, framed within a positive psychology and human rights perspective. Drawing on the Job Demand–Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, the research positions EI as both a personal resource and a structural competency that can buffer against occupational stress. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 433 healthcare professionals employed in public and private hospitals, primary health centres, and community health centres. Validated measurement instruments, including the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and the Occupational Stress Index (OSI), were adapted for contextual relevance. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesised relationships. Results indicate that Hope, Employee Resilience, Employee Motivation, and Work Commitment significantly enhance EI and directly reduce job stress, with EI mediating these effects. Work Commitment emerged as the strongest predictor of both increased EI and reduced job stress. The findings underscore the importance of treating EI development as an organisational responsibility rather than an individual coping mechanism, with implications for healthcare policy, workforce well-being, and equity.