Training emotional competencies at the workplace: a systematic review and metaanalysis

Abstract

Abstract Recent systematic reviews have shown that emotional competencies can be improved through training. In the workplace, such training has become increasingly popular over the last decade. These programs aim to enhance emotional intelligence, empathy or emotion regulation. This study wants to assess the training effects and potential moderators of these workplace interventions. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that focuses on the workplace context and integrates emotional intelligence, empathy, and emotion regulation training interventions. This study has been preregistered with PROSPERO and a protocol has been published before the review was conducted (CRD42021267073). We conducted a systematic literature search using Embase, PsycInfo, PSYNDEX, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The included studies were analyzed in two metaanalyses. In the primary analysis, we analyzed standardized mean changes in emotional competencies before and after the training for 50 included studies, depending on (a) training construct and (b) participants’ profession (teachers, health professionals, managers, and others). To determine the efficacy of the trainings, we conducted a separate metaanalysis of controlled trials only (k = 27). Both metaanalyses yielded moderate overall effect sizes that also persisted more than three months after the training end: (1) SMD pre-post = 0.44 (95% CI [0.29, 0.59]), (2) SMD EG-CG = 0.46 (95% CI [0.30, 0.63]). All professions benefited equally from the interventions and we observed no significant differences in the effectiveness of emotional intelligence, empathy, and emotion regulation trainings. Overall, our results suggest that workplace interventions effectively train emotional competencies, regardless of profession or specific training focus. Limitations are the high heterogeneity and the low methodological quality of the studies analyzed. Our study shows the need for more high-quality studies, like randomized controlled trials. Additionally, companies may consider incorporating emotional competence training into their employee and leadership development programs routinely. This study was preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD42021267073).

Keywords

• Emotional intelligence
• Empathy
• Emotion regulation
• Workplace intervention
• Meta-analysis
• Leadership