Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Style as Drivers of Work Engagement among HIV Care Providers: The Mediating Role of Job Burnout

Abstract

This study examines the effects of emotional intelligence and leadership style on job burnout and work engagement among HIV Care, Support, and Treatment (PDP) service providers in Kendari City, Indonesia, and tests the mediating role of job burnout. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. The population consisted of 57 HIV PDP service providers, all of whom participated through a census approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Emotional intelligence significantly reduced job burnout (β = −0.362, p = 0.003) and significantly increased work engagement (β = 0.232, p = 0.042). Leadership style did not significantly affect job burnout (β = −0.046, p = 0.796), but it positively affected work engagement (β = 0.291, p = 0.015). Job burnout negatively affected work engagement (β = −0.366, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of emotional intelligence on work engagement through job burnout was significant (β = 0.133, p = 0.040), indicating partial mediation. The model explained 14.6% of the variance in job burnout and 42.5% of the variance in work engagement. These findings highlight emotional intelligence as an important personal resource and effective leadership as an organizational resource for sustaining engagement among HIV care providers working under emotionally demanding conditions.