MOJ
eISSN: 2574-8130
Submit manuscript...
Research Article Volume 11 Issue 2
The role of emotional intelligence in geriatric care: a critical and interpretative review
Abílio Lourenço, Sabina Valente
Senior Researcher of Institute of Education; University of Minho. Portugal
CARE – Research Centre in Health and Social Sciences, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Portugal
Research Centre in Education and Psychology (CIEP), University of Évora, Portugal
Received: May 07, 2026 | Published: May 22, 2026
Citation: Lourenço A, Valente S. The role of emotional intelligence in geriatric care: a critical and interpretative review. MOJ Gerontol Ger. 2026;11(2):26‒31 DOI: 10.15406/mojgg.2026.11.00355
Abstract
The population ageing and the increasing complexity of care provided to elderly people have reinforced the need for relational and socio-emotional skills in geriatric practice. In this context, emotional intelligence is particularly relevant, as it favors the perception, understanding and regulation of emotions in situations marked by fragility, chronic disease, dementia and loss of autonomy. The present article critically analyses recent literature on the importance of emotional intelligence in geriatrics, with a focus on older people, formal and informal caregivers and multidisciplinary teams. The revisited evidence suggests that higher levels of emotional intelligence are associated with more effective communication, greater empathy, better adaptation to the emotional demands of care, and a reduction in caregiver burden and burnout. Furthermore, emotional intelligence is a potentially decisive resource for promoting more humane, ethical, and responsive institutional environments, thereby contributing to the overall quality of care provided. Despite its relevance, this domain remains underexplored in gerontological research, particularly regarding assessment and intervention. It is concluded that emotional intelligence should be recognized as a central competence in geriatrics, with direct implications for training, clinical practice and the sustainability of care systems.
Keywords: emotional intelligence, geriatrics, older people, caregiver, emotional regulation, quality of care
©2026 Lourenço, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.