Emotional Intelligence And Its Impact On Work Stress And Work-Life Balance: A Study In Chennai’s Ites Sector

Abstract

In the dynamic and high-pressure environment of Chennai’s IT-enabled services (ITES) sector, employees often struggle with elevated work stress and difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This study investigates the role of emotional intelligence (EI) as a psychological resource that can mitigate work-related stress and enhance life balance. A structured questionnaire was administered to 115 ITES employees in Chennai, covering constructs of emotional intelligence, work stress, and work-life balance. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression techniques. The findings reveal that emotional intelligence particularly components like self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social awareness has a significant positive impact on work-life balance and a negative correlation with work-related stress. Emotional intelligence was also found to be a strong predictor of improved life balance when controlling for stress levels. The study highlights the need for ITES organizations to integrate emotional intelligence training into employee development programs to foster well-being, reduce occupational stress, and enhance organizational performance.