Mediating Role of Workplace Gratitude in the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Work Motivation Among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined whether workplace gratitude mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and work motivation among nurses, considering variations in job position and years of experience.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 38 nurse managers and 152 staff nurses from 13 medical institutions. Participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic items, the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EQS), Work Motivation Scale (WM), and the Japanese version of the Gratitude at Work Scale (GAWS). Correlation and mediation analyses were performed.

Results: Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between years of experience and work motivation as well as between emotional intelligence, work motivation, and workplace gratitude. Mediation analysis indicated that workplace gratitude does not mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and work motivation among nurse managers. However, among staff nurses with eight or more years’ experience, workplace gratitude fully mediated this relationship, whereas only a partial mediation effect was observed in those with less than eight years’ experience.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that workplace gratitude mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and work motivation among staff nurses. Findings indicate that workplace gratitude is particularly important for nurses with ≥8 years of clinical experience.