The Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Ethical Decision‐Making Competence in Nursing Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making competence in nursing students and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Ethical Decision-Making Competence Scale (EDM-CS) in the Turkish context. A descriptive-predictive cross-sectional design was used with 273 third- and fourth-year nursing students from a public university. Data were collected using the Individual Information Form and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form. Confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted. Ethical decision-making competence was significantly and positively correlated with emotional intelligence (r = 0.486, p < 0.01). Regression analysis identified four significant predictors: emotional intelligence, self-confidence in solving ethical problems, clinical setting, and academic year. Emotional intelligence emerged as the strongest predictor, explaining 36.1% of the variance in ethical competence. Nursing students' ethical decision-making competence was at a good level and closely associated with emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence plays a central role in enhancing ethical awareness, motivation, and action. Educational strategies that promote emotional intelligence and reflective learning may strengthen students' ethical competence in clinical practice.
Source: Nursing and Health Sciences
DOI: 10.1111/nhs.70301
Authors: Mustafa Sabri Kovanci, Sinem Ocalan
Institution: Hacettepe University
Language: English
Topic: Ethics in medical practice
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7127368197