Assessing the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Patient Advocacy in Clinical Nursing Practice

Posted: Sep 19, 2018

• Lara Fisher
• Tanner McCoy
• Aubrey Logan

Abstract

The intersection of emotional intelligence and patient advocacy represents a critical yet underexplored domain in nursing science. While emotional intelligence has gained recognition as an essential competency for healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy remains a cornerstone of nursing ethics, the precise mechanisms through which emotional capabilities enable effective advocacy behaviors remain poorly understood. Traditional approaches have often treated emotional intelligence as a monolithic construct, overlooking the specific emotional competencies that may be most relevant to advocacy situations in clinical environments. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between multidimensional emotional intelligence and various forms of patient advocacy, with particular attention to the contextual factors that moderate this relationship. Patient advocacy in nursing practice encompasses a spectrum of behaviors ranging from communicating patient preferences to challenging institutional barriers that compromise care quality. The emotional demands of advocacy are substantial, requiring nurses to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage their own emotional responses, and perceive subtle emotional cues from patients, families, and colleagues.