The mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between technostress and burnout prevention among critical care nurses a structural equation modelling approach

Abstract Background Critical care nurses frequently experience high levels of technostress due to the increasing demands of healthcare technology, which contributes to burnout. Emotional intelligence has been shown to buffer stress in demanding environments, potentially mitigating burnout. However, its mediating role in the relationship between technostress and burnout among critical care nurses remains underexplored. Aim This study aims to examine the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between technostress and burnout among critical care nurses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 critical care nurses from two hospitals in Damnhour City, Egypt. Data were collected using the Technostress Questionnaire, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and Emotional Intelligence Scale. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships between technostress, emotional intelligence, and burnout, with bootstrapping employed to assess mediation. Results Technostress was positively correlated with burnout (r = 0.56, p < 0.01), while emotional intelligence was negatively correlated with both technostress (r = -0.45, p < 0.01) and burnout (r = -0.49, p < 0.01). SEM analysis revealed that emotional intelligence significantly mediated the relationship between technostress and burnout (indirect effect = 0.23, p = 0.002), reducing burnout levels. Conclusion Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of technostress on burnout among critical care nurses. Targeted interventions to enhance emotional intelligence may help reduce burnout in technology-driven healthcare environments.