Emotional intelligence and job satisfaction in UAE-based higher education: the mediating effect of self-efficacy among women employees

Jinadasa, Yohani and Tantry, Ansarullah and Gilani, Sayed Abdul Majid and Sergio, Rommel and Askri, Soumaya (2026) Emotional intelligence and job satisfaction in UAE-based higher education: the mediating effect of self-efficacy among women employees. Frontiers in Education, 11. ISSN 2504-284X

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the link between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction and how this relationship is mediated by self-efficacy among women working in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methodology

The sample of the study consisted of 346 higher education women employees selected by convenience sampling. The standardised tools were utilised to gather data on self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction. The study used a quantitative approach to test the hypotheses, employing the Structural Equation Model (SEM), to investigate the direct and mediating links between emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction.

Findings

According to the findings, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy have favourable effects on job satisfaction. Furthermore, self-efficacy acted as a potential mediator for the emotional intelligence variable in explaining job satisfaction in higher education women employees in the UAE.

Research implications

The findings suggest that enhancing both emotional intelligence and self-efficacy through targeted professional development can effectively improve job satisfaction among women in higher education.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3389/feduc.2026.1795360
Dates:	Date Event 20 May 2026 Accepted 5 August 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	emotional intelligence, higher education, job satisfaction, self-efficacy, UAE, women employees
Subjects:	CAH17 - business and management > CAH17-01 - business and management > CAH17-01-02 - business studies
Divisions:	Business School > Management, Business and Marketing
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	10 Aug 2026 10:14
Last Modified:	10 Aug 2026 10:14
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/17152

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