Title: Toward healthier public workplaces: emotional intelligence, resilience and happiness at work

Authors: Javier Elvira; Andrés Salas-Vallina

Addresses: Department of Business Management University of Valencia Av. Tarongers s/n, Valencia, 46021, Spain ' Department of Business Management University of Valencia Av. Tarongers s/n, Valencia, 46021, Spain

Abstract: Based on the conservation of resources theory, this paper presents a framework in which emotional intelligence (EI), understood as a set of skills to the effective regulation of emotions, has a direct and positive impact on teachers' happiness at work (HAW), in public high school organisations. We also propose that resilience mediates the relationship between EI and HAW, because EI requires developing individual resilience to positively impact on HAW. Past public policies have derived public resources from public to private high schools, thus creating a complex and highly demanding context where teachers need key job resources to address and bounce back from difficult situations. Against this background, we propose a model in which EI develops the capacity to recover, recharge and renew from high job demands (resilience), in turn fostering HAW. This theoretical proposal opens up a debate for a more sustainable management with positive effects on teachers' health.

Keywords: emotional intelligence; resilience; HAW; happiness at work; education; teachers; teaching; demanding context; personal resources.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2021.122321

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2021 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.270 - 287

Received: 20 Dec 2021
Accepted: 13 Jan 2022
Published online: 19 Apr 2022 *