The mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between sexual health literacy and sexual communication self-efficacy among married nursing students
Abstract Background Sexual health literacy is essential for improving communication about sexual health, especially among married nursing students. Emotional intelligence may play a significant role in facilitating this communication by mediating the relationship between sexual health literacy and s...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03157-y |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Sexual health literacy is essential for improving communication about sexual health, especially among married nursing students. Emotional intelligence may play a significant role in facilitating this communication by mediating the relationship between sexual health literacy and sexual communication self-efficacy. Objective This study aimed to examine the relationships between sexual health literacy, emotional intelligence, and sexual communication self-efficacy among married nursing students and assess the mediating role of emotional intelligence. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 married female nursing students at the Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt. Data were collected using validated scales for sexual health literacy, emotional intelligence, and sexual communication self-efficacy. Statistical analyses were performed, including t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and mediation analysis via the PROCESS macro (Model 4). Bias-corrected bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples was applied to test for the mediating effects of emotional intelligence. Results The results revealed no significant differences in sexual health literacy, sexual communication self-efficacy, or emotional intelligence across demographics. Pearson correlations demonstrated that sexual health literacy was positively correlated with sexual communication self-efficacy (r = .388, p < .01) and emotional intelligence (r = .560, p < .01). Mediation analysis showed that emotional intelligence significantly mediated the relationship between sexual health literacy and sexual communication self-efficacy (B = 0.04,). The effect of sexual health literacy on sexual communication self-efficacy was significant (B = 0.19, p < .001), with emotional intelligence accounting for a portion of this relationship. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of sexual health literacy in promoting effective communication about sexual health. Emotional intelligence plays a key mediating role, suggesting that enhancing both sexual health literacy and emotional intelligence could improve sexual communication self-efficacy among married nursing students. These findings suggest potential interventions to integrate emotional intelligence training into sexual health education programs to enhance communication outcomes. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
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| ISSN: | 1472-6955 |