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Social and Behavioral Sciences
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 69 (2012) 2061 - 2067
International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology (ICEEPSY 2012)
A Descriptive Study of Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance of MBBS Students
Saumya Vinod Joshia, Kalpana Srivastavab, Arkojyoti Raychaudhuriab*
aSawai Man Singh Medical College & Attached Hospitals, II / 31, Saumya Marg, Gandhinagar, Jaipur 302015, India bDepartment of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Wanowrie, Pune 411040, India
a'b'* Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, First Floor, 11 A /10, Raghav Properties, Old Rajender Nagar, Near Gol Chakkar, New Delhi 110060, India
Abstract
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is increasingly being recognized as a measure of overall performance across various fields. A descriptive cross-sectional study was planned with the objective of assessing EI of first year medical undergraduates and evaluating its relationship with their academic performance. EIS (Emotional Intelligence Scale - scale submitted for publication developed by authors) was administered for the assessment of EI on 97 first year medical undergraduates of a medical college based in India. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient between EI ranks and Academic Ranks was 0.81 (significant at the 0.05 level). EI and academic performance of medical undergraduates correlate with each other in a statistically significant manner; i.e. high EI determines better academic performance.
© 2012 TheAuthors. Publishedby ElsevierLtd.
Selection and peer-reviewunder responsibility of Dr. Zafer Bekirogullari of Cognitive - Counselling, Research & Conference Services C-crcs. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Academic Performance, Correlation, EIS, Medical Students
1. Introduction
In order to be compatible for success the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) is increasingly being recognized. Reading and managing emotions in social contexts are important for success in a variety of interpersonal as well as career related domains [1]. Interestingly good deal of our successes and failures in life are not attributable to our cognitive abilities as measured by tests of IQ, but rather are attributable to our abilities to maintain social relationships, portray ourselves positively and manipulate how others perceive us [2]. Emotional Intelligence is a type of intelligence that may be more important in reaching one's goals than the traditional intelligence as measured by tests of IQ [3, 4].
Goleman has defined Emotional Intelligence as "the capacity of recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well in us and in our relationships" [5].
The present study focuses on the relevance of EI as a higher mental ability in medical students. Today all over the
* Corresponding author: Saumya Vinod Joshi Tel.: (+91) - 8854925004 E-mail address: joshisaumya007@gmail.com
1877-0428 © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Dr. Zafer Bekirogullari of Cognitive - Counselling, Research & Conference
Services C-crcs.
doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.165
world medical education has become sophisticated enough to encompasses numerous positive and negative challenges. Some doctors by virtue of individuality have a greater capacity than others to carry out sophisticated information processing about emotions of patients and emotion-relevant stimuli coming from them and to use this information as a guide to thinking and behaviour in case of a medical setting. Probably this set of abilities, which remain central to the concept of emotional intelligence puts a doctor at a higher ground with respect to the ease with which he manages his patients and the confidence which he instils in them. But since the introduction of the concept of EI, never an attempt has been made to measure the EI of undergraduate medical students. There is paucity of Indian literature on the subject of EI and presently there is no scale available to measure the EI of medical undergraduates in the Indian scenario.
The most recent acceptable index which researchers have developed is the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) [6]. This test provides 4 scores as it is based on their revised model of EI, which includes four 'branches' or abilities that are hierarchically arranged: emotional identification or perception, use of emotions to facilitate thinking, understanding emotions and managing emotions. Scores on the MSCEIT are interpreted such that high scores represent the degree to which participants answers mirror scores that are reflective of the group (or expert) consensus. Other El frameworks conceptualize and measure this construct as a combination of mental abilities and personality traits. For instance, Bar-On [7] conceptualizes EI as comprising multiple dispositions relevant to emotional functioning, such as optimism and empathy. His index, the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) is designed to assess these dispositions using self-report methods.
ECI (Emotional Competence Inventory) defines emotional intelligence as "the capacity for recognizing our own feelings, and those of others, for motivating ourselves and for managing emotions well in ourselves and our relationships'" [8]. The ECI measures four aspects of emotional intelligence, firstly self-awareness, secondly self-management, thirdly social-awareness and lastly social-skills.
The EI is not only essential to overall life satisfaction but also for academic success. According to Goleman, the standard measure of intelligence, IQ contributes no more than 20% towards one's success, while the remainder is determined by EI [9]. It is worth mentioning here that training aspect of emotional intelligence students is also highlighted by Goleman. Training in EI reduces negative emotions, violent behavior and substance abuse [10], which further influences academic achievement and success [11]. This idea of training students resonates with the Aristotelian ideology that "emotions are central to the emotional experience" thus they (emotions) are "imbued with reason and penetrable to systematic cultivation and coaching" [12]. The impact of training was noted in emotional regulation and increase in grade point average beyond the "contribution made by cognition related abilities" [13].
Understanding of Personality plays an important role. Though there are studies available regarding emotional intelligence, however studies pertaining to personality parameter academic interest and EI are sparse. In view of the above present study was planned. The study aimed at assessment of Emotional Intelligence and its relationship with academic performance. Personality parameters were also assessed.
2. Body
2.1 Material & Methods
Sample for the study comprised of 132 undergraduate medical students, however only 97 gave consent for EIS. For the purpose of EIS and personality parameters, academic ranks of these 97 students were taken in consideration for data analysis. Those who did not give consent and students in irregular batches were excluded from the study.
Data collection Tools: Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) [14] developed for assessing emotional intelligence of medical undergraduates was administered. The scale has 30 items measuring four domains of emotional intelligence with scores ranging from 27 to 108. Lower the score higher the emotional intelligence. Four domains attempted to assess were self-awareness, social-awareness, self-management and social-skills. NEO Personality Inventory [15] was administered and academic performance was correlated with emotional intelligence. The investigators personally administered tools and personal data
relating to name, gender and education of students were also collected in a personal data sheet specially prepared for the purpose. In order to evaluate emotional intelligence and academic performance, Spearman's correlation method was computed between academic ranks and emotional intelligence ranks.
2.2 Results
Table 1 - Sample Characteristics
Age (mean) 18.19 years
Education 1st year medical under graduation
Background Predominantly urban
Gender 78 (80.5%) male and 19 (19.5%) female
Total Sample Size 97
Majority of the students hailed from an urban background. Around 80% of them comprised of males and 20% were females.
Table 2 - Categorization of Emotional Intelligence of the sample
S.No. Percentiles Scores Frequency (percentage) Grade
1 <25 <48 25 (25.77%) High
2 > 25 < 75 > 48 < 56 51 (52.57%) Average
3 > 75 > 56 21 (21.64%) Below Average
Total Sample 97
Less than 25% was taken as cut off for high emotional intelligence and more than 75% was taken as below average. Interpretation yielded as higher the score poorer the EI.
Table 3 - Personality Profile on NEO PIR
S.No. Factors Mean
1 Neuroticism 85.91
2 Extraversion 121.43
3 Conscientiousness 122.27
4 Agreeableness 112.91
5 Openness to experience 120.85
Mean score of Extraversion and Openness to experience falls in high Agreeableness and Conscientiousness falls in the average category. interestingly falls in high average category.
Table 4 - Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) - Neuroticism Cross tabulation
Neuroticism
high average low total
EI high 11 (11.3) 12 (12.3) 9 (9.2) 32 (32.9)
average 20 (20.6) 25 (25.7) 5 (5.1) 50 (51.5)
low 12 (12.3) 2 (2.0) 1(1.0) 15 (15.4)
total 43 (44.3) 39 (40) 15 (15.4) 97
The number of students falling in High Neuroticism and High EIS was 11.
category and mean score of Mean of Neuroticism score
Table 5 - Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) - Extroversion Cross tabulation
Extroversion
high average low total
EI high 24 (24.7) 6 (6.1) 2 (2.0) 32 (32.9)
average 36 (37.1) 13 (13.4) 1 (1.0) 50 (51.5)
low 14 (14.4) 1 (1.0) 0 (0.0) 15 (15.4)
total 74 (76.2) 20 (20.6) 3 (3.0) 97
Table 6 - Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) - Openness Cross tabulation
Openness
high average low total
EI high 26 (26.8) 5 (5.1) 1 (1.0) 32 (32.9)
average 34 (35.0) 13 (13.4) 3 (1.0) 50 (51.5)
low 8 (8.2) 6 (6.1) 1 (1.0) 15 (15.4)
total 68 (7.0) 24 (24.7) 5 (5.1) 97
Table 7 - Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) -Agreeableness Cross tabulation
Agreeableness
high average low total
EI high 11 (11.3) 14 (14.4) 7 (7.2) 32 (32.9)
average 14 (14.4) 24 (24.7) 12 (12.3) 50 (51.5)
low 3 (3.0) 7 (7.2) 5 (5.1) 15 (15.4)
total 28 (28.8) 45 (46.3) 24 (24.7) 97
Table 8 - Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) - Conscientiousness Cross tabulation
Conscientiousness
high average low total
EI high 11 (11.3) 18 (18.5) 3 (3.0) 32 (32.9)
average 13 (13.4) 23 (23.7) 14 (14.4) 50 (51.5)
low 2 (2.0) 6 (6.1) 7 (7.2) 15 (15.4)
total 26 (26.8) 47 (48.4) 24 (24.7) 97
Table 9 - Correlation of Emotional Intelligence Ranks with Academic Ranks
EI rank Academic rank
Spearman's rho EI rank Correlation coefficient 1.000 0.81*
Sig. (2-tailed) 0.037
N 97 97
Academic rank Correlation coefficient 0.81* 1.000
Sig (2-tailed) 0.037
N 97 97
*Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).
Table 9 shows relationship between EI ranks and academic ranks. There is a relationship between EI scores and academic performance. Correlation coefficients are mentioned in table. Higher EI correlates with higher academic performance.
Table 10 - Factor Domain of Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS)
S. No. Domains No of items
1 Self-Awareness 7
2 Self-Management 7
3 Social-Awareness 7
4 Social-Skills 6
5 Buffer Questions 3
2.3 Discussion
The theoretical assumption of emotional intelligence being implied in academic performance is popularized by Goleman's EI theory, which highlights that one's learning and overall life success is determined by emotional regulation, especially through self-awareness, social-awareness, self-management and relationship management [16]. Hence assessment of emotional intelligence among medical students acquires relevance. It is interesting to observe that the nurturance of these facets is also possible, as training component of emotional intelligence was also deliberated by researchers and they emphasized if trained in early years of life, this will affect academic achievement positively on a long term basis [17]. Authors found higher the self-concept and self-schema, the more positive are self-descriptions, the better the academic achievement at 18 years of life. Further studies highlighted role of social interaction in improving self-identity, which has positive impact on achievement [18].
In the present study sample comprised of 97 medical students of first year MBBS course. 80.5% of them were male students and 19.5% were female students (Table 1). Assessment of emotional intelligence on a tool meant for medical students, quantified only 21.64% falling in the below average category, whereas high EIS scores were noted in 25.77% of students and 52.57% of them had average scores on EIS (Table 2). When the ranks based on these EI scores were correlated with academic ranks of university performance it showed (Table 9) positive correlation with correlation coefficient of 0.81 (sig 2 tailed at 0.037).
These findings are in accordance with the literature available. One study examined the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on the successful transition to university. The short form of the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) was completed by 1,426 first-year students attending four different universities within the first week of classes. Results revealed that academically successful students had significantly higher levels of several different emotional and social competencies [19].
Another study was carried out on undergraduate students of a 5-year dental degree course. A questionnaire survey was carried out to determine the EI scores of the subjects. In each year of study, subjects were divided into low and high EI groups at the median score. Coping also differed as per emotional intelligence. High EI students were more likely to adopt reflection and appraisal, social and interpersonal, organisation and time-management skills. Low EI students were more likely to engage in health-damaging behaviours [20].
Various methods have been used to assess emotional intelligence, however scale designed to assess emotional intelligence in medical undergraduates was not available. Hence present study is relevant from that perspective. When personality was evaluated it was found that mean score of extraversion and openness to experience falls in high category and mean score of agreeableness and conscientiousness falls in the average category (Table 3). It suggests that extraversion, openness to experience and neuroticism are in high category in the study group. Further it revealed high neuroticism and high EIS in 11 students like wise high extraversion and high EIS was noted in 24 students. Openness to experience had high EIS corresponding in 26 students. Total EIS score on agreeableness yields 11 out of 32 students falling in high
EIS and high agreeableness. In conscientiousness category out of 26 students scoring high, 11 had high EIS score.
Authors evaluated postgraduate students and assessed them randomly after obtaining informed consent, through semi-structured proforma and various scales, including Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment Checklist. On Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment checklist, more than 70% had poor emotional intelligence. Good control of emotions in self was associated with good relationship with superiors and colleagues [21]. Personality as a correlate has always played an important role. Medical students completed the Meyer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT, an ability measure), the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS, a trait measure) and an industry standard personality test (the Neuroticism-Extroversion-Openness [NEO] test). The ability measure was not correlated with personality, but the trait measure was correlated with personality [22].
In the present study correlation was not feasible as sample size was small however EIS had certain trends with mean score on NEOPIR. However definite conclusions may not be possible with current findings.
3. Conclusion
Present study found positive correlation of emotional intelligence with academic performance in undergraduate medical students. However further study is needed to be carried out on larger sample size. However this is an important finding as the scale was specifically designed for assessment of emotional intelligence in medical students. Future studies may highlight the supporting measures, larger sample size and gender differences.
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