Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Resilience and Compassion Fatigue in Palliative Care Nurses in India: A Qualitative Review

Palliative care nursing in India is marked by profound emotional labor, with nurses frequently encountering death, suffering, and family distress in resource-constrained and culturally complex settings. Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been identified globally as a protective factor against compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout, yet evidence from India remains fragmented and underexplored. This systematic qualitative review synthesizes findings from studies published between 2001 and 2024 to examine the relationship between EI, resilience, and CF among Indian palliative care nurses. Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and Thomas and Harden’s thematic synthesis approach, six primary studies were analyzed. Three overarching meta-themes were identified: (1) EI as a psychological buffer, enabling adaptive emotion regulation, empathy regulation, and reduced CF; (2) Resilience as a culturally mediated construct, grounded in familial support and spiritual coping mechanisms; and (3) Systemic neglect of CF, reflecting inadequate institutional training, stigma around mental health, and lack of structured support systems. The review highlights that while EI facilitates “empathy without over-identification” and supports resilience, cultural expectations of stoicism and systemic neglect undermine its potential benefits. Findings underscore the urgent need for institutional reforms, including integrating EI training into nursing curricula, conducting regular CF screenings, and providing culturally relevant support interventions. Addressing compassion fatigue in India requires not only strengthening individual resilience but also fostering structural compassion within healthcare systems.