Emotional Intelligence and Career Decision-Making among Healthcare Students and Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Morocco

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction. Healthcare settings put constant emotional strain on anyone working or training in such environments. As a result, the decision to pursue a career in this field is determined not only by cognitive evaluation but by emotional abilities, such as self-awareness, the ability to regulate emotions, and empathy. Emotional intelligence has received much attention in relation to clinical work, but its application in career choice has not been much researched so far, particularly in North Africa. Hence, this research investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence and career choice among healthcare students and professionals in Morocco, at the same time studying the link between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction.

Methodology.A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of 207 participants (124 men, 59.9%; 83 women, 40.1%) selected by purpose from public and private health care and health-training institutions in Morocco, representing ten disciplines and eleven levels of training or professional experience. Life satisfaction was measured using an Arabic version of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (5 items, α =.77). Emotional intelligence (8 items, α =.84) and career decision-making (10 items, α =.87) were measured using purpose-built scales. Parallel analysis supported a single-factor structure for each of the scales. Data were analysed using SPSS v25 with one-sample t-tests, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and linear regression.

Results. Emotional intelligence was positively associated with career decision-making, r = .58, p < .001, and accounted for 33% of its variance, F(1, 205) = 102.32, p < .001. Life satisfaction showed a weaker association, r = .39, p < .001, R² = .15. In a multiple regression including both predictors, emotional intelligence remained the stronger contributor (β = .50, p < .001) alongside life satisfaction (β = .17, p = .006), together accounting for 36% of the variance. Neither emotional intelligence nor career decision-making varied significantly by gender, age, discipline, training level, or place of residence. Life satisfaction fell significantly below the scale midpoint and varied by age, discipline, and training level.

Discussion. Emotional intelligence was positively correlated with career decision making, r =.58, p < .001 and accounted for 33% of the variance in career decision making, F(1, 205) = 102.32, p <.001. Life satisfaction was less strongly related, r =.39, p <.001, R2 =.15. When both predictors were entered together in a multiple regression, 36% of the variance was explained, with emotional intelligence (β = .50, p < .001) and life satisfaction (β = .17, p = .006) remaining the stronger predictors. There were no significant differences in emotional intelligence and career decision making by gender, age, discipline, training level or place of residence. Life satisfaction was significantly lower than the midpoint of the scale and varied by age, discipline and training level.

Keywords: emotional intelligence; career decision-making; life satisfaction; healthcare students; healthcare professionals; Morocco