Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

References

Introduction

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been defined as a blend of personal and interpersonal competencies that affect one’s behaviour, thinking and interactions with others.1 Salovey and Mayer2 first coined emotional intelligence defining it as “the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions” (p. 189). This definition and the conceptualisation of emotional intelligence has been further developed through research and practice.3 While there are a number of alternate models of emotional intelligence such as the Bar-On,4 and Salovey and Mayer2 models, the Goleman5 model is widely used. The Goleman model of EI organises emotional intelligence into four dimensions; self-awareness and selfmanagement and social awareness and social skills.5 These four dimensions of EI each comprise a suite of personal or interpersonal competencies that are essential for health care professionals in order to provide optimal patient care as well as work synergistically as part of a multidisciplinary team.6 Theorists have viewed EI as a trait rather than a cognitive ability.7–۹ According to them trait EI is related to people’s personality and is formed by their emotional self-perceptions and emotional traits. Unlike ability, trait EI involves behavioural characteristics and self-perceived capabilities and is measured through self-report.7–۹ Therefore, for this study it was decided that trait EI would be used as a measurement of EI among radiation therapists (RT).