Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution in nursing
Peter J Jordan
Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan QLD
Ashlea Troth
Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan QLD
PP: 094 - 100
Abstract
How nurses maintain relationships and resolve conflict in the workplace is considered an important skill in the nursing profession (Hillhouse & Adler, 1997). In this paper we explore the utility of emotional intelligence in predicting an individual's preferred style of conflict resolution.
Theorists such as Goleman (1998) have proposed a strong link between emotional intelligence and successful conflict resolution. A preliminary analysis of our empirical study indicates that individuals with high emotional intelligence prefer to seek collaborative solutions when confronted with conflict. Implications for the nursing profession are discussed.
Keywords
emotional intelligence; conflict resolution; collaboration nursing
References
Bar-On R, Brown J M, Kirkcaldy B D & Thome E P (2000) Emotional expression and implications for occupational stress: An application of the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ - i). Personality and Individual Differences. 28: 1107-1118.
Borisoff D & Victor D A (1998) Conflict management: a communication skills approach. Allyn & Bacon, Boston Mass.
Brown L D (1983) Managing conflict at organizational interfaces. Addison-Wesley, Reading Mass.
Carlopio J, Andrewartha G & Armstrong H (1997) Developing management skills in Australia. Addison-Wesley, Sydney Aust.
Cherniss C & Adler M (2001) Promoting Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), Alexandria VA.
Cooper R K & Sawaf A (1997) Executive EQ: Emotional intelligence in leadership and organizations. Grossett/Putnam, New York.
Gardner H (1983) Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books, New York.
Goleman D (1995) Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam, New York.
Goleman D (1998) Working with emotional intelligence. Bantam, New York.
Hillhouse J J & Adler C M (1997) Investigating stress effect patterns in hospital staff nurses: Results of a cluster analysis. Social Science and Medicine. 45: 1781-1788.
Jordan P J (2000) Measuring Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: A Comparison of Self and Peer Ratings of Emotional Intelligence. In Peter J Jordan (Chair) Emotional Intelligence at Work: Does it make a difference? A symposium presented at the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management Toronto.
Jordan P J & Troth A C (2002) Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution: Implications for human resource development. In Callahan J L & McCollum E E (eds) Advances In Developing Human Resources Special Edition Perspectives of Emotion and Organizational Change 4(1): 62-79.
Keenan G M, Cooke R & Hillis S L (1998) Norms and nurse management of conflicts: Keys to understanding nurse-physician collaboration. Research in Nursing and Health 21: 59-72.
Kilmann R H & Thomas K W (1977) Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, Xicom Inc, Sterling Forest, NY.
Marin M J, Sherblom J C & Shipps T B (1994) Contextual influences on nurses conflict management strategies. Western Journal of Communication 58: 201-228.
Martin J, Knopoff K & Beckman C (1998)An alternative to bureaucratic impersonality and emotional labor: Bounded emotionality at The Body Shop. Administrative Science Quarterly 43: 429-469.
Mayer J & Salovey P (1997) What is emotional intelligence? In Salovey P & Sluyter D (eds ) Emotional development and emotional intelligence: Implications for educators, pp 3-31. Basic Books, New York.
Mayer J D, Salovey P & Caruso D R (2000) Competing Models of Emotional Intelligence. In Sternberg R (ed ) Handbook of Intelligence, pp 396-420. Cambridge , New York.
Pisarski A, Bohle P & Callan V J (1998) Effects of coping strategies social support and work - non-work conflict on shift worker's health. Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health 24 (Supp 3): 141-145.
Salovey P & Mayer J (1990) Emotional intelligence. Imagination Cognition and Personality 9: 185-211.
Skjorshammer M (2001) Co-operation and conflict in a hospital: Interprofessional differences in perception and management of conflicts. Journal of Interprofessional Care 15: 7-18.
Sosik J J & Megerian L E (1999). Understanding leader emotional intelligence and performance: The role of self-other agreement on transformational leadership perceptions. Group and Organization Management 24: 367-390.
Sternberg R J & Soriano L J (1984) Styles of conflict resolution. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 32: 115-126.
Thomas K W (1979) Organizational Conflict. In Kerr S (ed) Organizational Behavior. Grid, Columbus OH.
Tyler P & Cushway D (1995) Stress in nurses: The effects of coping and social support. Stress Medicine 11: 243-251.
Valentine P E B (2001) A gender perspective on conflict management strategies of nurses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 33: 69-74.
Wells A & Matthews G (1994) Self-consciousness and cognitive failures as predictors of coping in stressful episodes. Cognition and Emotion 8(3): 279-295.
eContent Home
