Improving emotional intelligence and emotional self-efficacy through a teaching intervention for university students

Emotional intelligence training for pre-service primary school teachers: a mixed methods research

Introduction

This research devises a training program for developing emotional intelligence focused on social and emotional learning and integrates it into teaching to improve pre-service teachers' emotional intelligence.

Methods

The study used a embedded mixed design. The quantitative dimension of the study used a controlled quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test, and the qualitative dimension used an evaluative case study design. The study was conducted with 73 prospective primary school teachers studying at the faculty of education of a Turkish state university. The study group was formed using purposive random sampling. The sample for the quantitative dimension was composed using probability random sampling, whereas the sample for the qualitative dimension was composed using purposive sampling. The program was administered to the experimental group for 10 weeks. Quantitative data were obtained using the Bar-On EQ-i, and qualitative data were obtained using a semi-structured interview questionnaire and participant diaries. Quantitative data were analyzed using normality analysis and one-factor analysis of covariance, whereas qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis.

Results

The results found the developed training program to be an effective approach to improve emotional intelligence among pre-service teachers. Moreover, data obtained from documentary sources and focus group interviews during and after the application of the program confirmed and adequately explained the quantitative results.

Discussion

In line with the purpose of the study, the findings obtained from the quantitative part of the study showed that the implementation of the training program for the development of emotional intelligence focused on SEL was an effective approach in increasing the emotional intelligence levels of the pre-service teachers in the experimental group. Similar research results also support that pre-service teachers' emotional intelligence can be improved with additional intervention practices without affecting their curriculum.

'Doing' is never enough, if 'being' is neglected. Exploring midwives' perspectives on the influence of an emotional intelligence education programme, a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The role of the midwife is emotionally demanding with many midwives experiencing high levels of stress and burnout, and a great number considering leaving the profession. This has serious implications for the delivery of high-quality, safe maternity care. One of the major factors leading to job dissatisfaction is the conflict between midwives' aspiration of truly 'being' with the woman and the institutional expectations of the role which focuses on the 'doing' aspects of the job. 'Being' present to a woman's psychological needs, whilst meeting the institutional demands, requires high levels of emotional intelligence (EI) in the midwife. Therefore, enhancing midwives' EI could be beneficial.

EI EDUCATION PROGRAMME

An EI programme was made available to midwives with the intention to promote their emotional intelligence and enable them to utilise relaxation techniques for those in their care.

AIM

To explore midwives' perspectives on the influence of the EI education programme on their emotional wellbeing and experiences of practice.

METHOD

The study took a descriptive qualitative approach. Thirteen midwives participated in focus group interviews. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

The overarching theme of 'The Ripple Effect' included three themes of 'Me and my relationships', 'A different approach to practice' and 'Confidence and empowerment'. The programme was seen to create a positive ripple effect, influencing midwives personally, their approach to practice, and feelings of confidence in their role.

CONCLUSION

EI education can reduce emotional stress in midwives, enhance their empathy and feelings of confidence, thus, improving the quality of care they provide.

Trait emotional intelligence as a predictor of resilience among undergraduate nursing students: A structural equation modelling approach

BACKGROUND

There is a growing interest in understanding the role of trait emotional intelligence and resilience. However, few studies have examined the relationships between the various factors of trait emotional intelligence and resilience.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the factors of trait emotional intelligence and resilience using a structure equation modelling approach.

DESIGN

A quantitative exploratory design using structural equation modelling approach.

SETTING

One university in Singapore.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 300 undergraduate nursing students were included in this study.

METHOD

A quantitative exploratory study using the structural equation modelling technique was conducted. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and Brief Resilience Scale were used to examine the relationships between trait emotional intelligence and resilience. The data analyses were conducted using SPSS and AMOS software.

RESULTS

The structural equation model found relationships between the various factors of trait emotional intelligence. There were associations between self-control, sociability, and emotionality scores with well-being scores. In addition, there is a relationship between emotionality and well-being scores on resilience scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study illustrate the complex relationships between the various factors of trait emotional intelligence, and specifically how these factors are related to each other and resilience. The findings of this study propose that emotional intelligence are associated with one's resilience. For this reason, these findings will be important in the development of future resilience programs.

Does Social and Organizational Support Moderate Emotional Intelligence Training Effectiveness?

Given the dearth of systematic research and inconclusive results regarding the effectiveness of emotional intelligence (EI) training in adult training, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of EI training. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of EI training on learning and transfer outcomes, considering underexplored moderation of social and organizational support with experimental and longitudinal research design. Training transfer was measured through changes in organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Participants self-assessed their OCB and CWB levels, while their supervisors also provided evaluations, allowing for separate analysis. Data, from a sample comprising 176 government officials, were collected across different periods and analyzed employing diverse analytical tools. The results revealed positive effects of EI training on training outcomes in both samples but positive moderation effect of social and organizational support on the effect of EI training on training outcomes was observed in the self-evaluation sample but not in the supervisor evaluation sample. The findings advance the debate on social exchange theory and organizational support theory by showing the boundary condition of their applicability. Furthermore, this study clarifies the impact of EI training on training outcomes by emphasizing the nuanced role of social and organizational support.

Building paths to success: a multilevel analysis of the effects of an emotional intelligence development program on the academic achievement of future teachers

Introduction

The situation generated by the recent pandemic has had several effects on education, one of them being the necessary but hasty efforts of teachers and students to adapt to the demands of a virtual classroom environment. Thus, it is essential to promote the development of digital competencies in future teachers, enabling them to create effective learning situations in the digital medium. Moreover, the European university curriculum includes a set of specific competencies (specific to each degree) and a series of generic competencies, many of which are related to emotional intelligence. Our work emerges from these specific premises and the more general need to develop emotional skills and learning abilities in virtual environments for future educators.

Methods

The sample comprised 240 students in higher education, pursuing a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Alicante, Spain (68.3% were female and average age of the participants was 19.43 years SD = 4.127). Using a quasi-experimental design with pretests, posttests, and a control group, we present the effects of an online program aimed at improving the emotional skills and academic achievement of future teachers in higher education. In this study, a 30-h emotional intelligence training program was implemented. Since the student sample was grouped into different classes, we analyzed, using a generalized linear mixed-effects model, whether students who took the program showed a significant improvement in their academic achievement at the end of their studies, compared to those who did not take it.

Results

The findings show a significant improvement in the academic achievement at the end of the bachelor's degree studies of the students in the experimental group.

Discussion

These results open up a field of possibilities for the implementation of this type of training using virtual environments, enabling interventions to enhance the emotional development of the teaching staff (and, subsequently, in their students), develop their teaching careers adequately, and employ the ideal strategies to address educational programs. Looking ahead, the integration of emotional development programs that incorporate emerging technology into university curricula could enhance the preparation of educators profoundly and create adaptable learning environments for contemporary students.

The role of emotional similarity and emotional accuracy in belonging and stress among first-generation and continuing-generation students

Extensive research has documented the psychological, social, and academic predicament of first-generation college students. However, basic psychological mechanisms underlying the challenges experienced by these students have been understudied. Taking a cultural psychology perspective, the present research considers the role of emotional (mis)match as a key mechanism for explaining first-generation students' lowered well-being. A sample of 344 American undergraduate students completed a survey designed to measure two aspects of emotional processing: (1) Emotional Accuracy - how accurately students perceive emotional reactions of majority-culture students (continuing-generation junior and senior students who have been socialized into college culture), and (2) Emotional Similarity -how similar students' emotions are to the emotions experienced by majority-culture students. Emotional Accuracy predicted positive outcomes, in general, but was lower among first-generation students. Unexpectedly, Emotional Similarity predicted negative student outcomes. As one of the first studies addressing basic psychological mechanisms in college adjustment, these findings underscore the importance of understanding the roles that specific emotional processes play in social adjustment.

Developing emotional intelligence in a static and interactive music learning environment

The concept of a static electronic learning environment implies the utilization of tools that do not necessitate any active participation on the part of the learner aside from familiarizing oneself with the provided materials. In contrast, an interactive electronic learning environment necessitates active engagement and interaction from the learner. The research purpose is to compare the impact of interactive and static learning environments on students' emotional intelligence. Music education students (n = 216) took a theoretical course on emotional intelligence during one academic semester at the university. The students were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group A (n = 108) attended the course in a lecture format, using videos and additional reading materials. Group B participated in online forums, completed interactive exercises, and discussed individual personal diaries kept at home with the teacher. At the end of the semester, both groups completed the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso emotional intelligence test. The results suggest that the total score for emotional intelligence was higher in Group B. After another 6 months of training, students passed the same test again to assess the effectiveness of the long-term intervention strategy. The post-training results suggest that Group B has an advantage in training over Group A. At the same time, in the Managing Emotions subcategory, Group B was behind Group A, but after 6 months of training, Group B significantly improved the results (value of p = 0.01). The research summarizes the practical significance of the theoretical course on the development of emotional intelligence among music education students.

Profiles, Transitions, and Resilience Factors of Suicide Risk in Early Chinese Adolescents

As a severe public health concern directly endangering life safety, adolescent suicide has been extensively investigated in variable-centered studies. However, gaps remain in the knowledge of heterogeneous suicide risk patterns and their developmental nature. Additionally, little is known about protective factors associated with suicide risk patterns and changes. This study applied person-centered approaches to explore suicide risk profiles and transitions over time in early Chinese adolescents, along with their protective factors. A total of 1518 junior high school students (49.6% girls, Mage = 13.57, SD = 0.75) participated in two surveys within a 12-month interval. Latent Profile Analysis and Latent Transition Analysis were used to model the profiles and transitions of suicide risk. Three risk profiles were identified at both time points: low risk profile (73.9, 78.3%), medium risk-high threat profile (16.2, 10.2%), and high risk profile (9.9, 10.2%). Low risk profile was stable, while medium risk-high threat and high risk profiles showed great transitions over 12 months. Sense of control, meaning in life, and regulatory emotional self-efficacy served as protective factors against suicide risk profiles and transitions. Findings underscore the importance of comprehensively illustrating suicide risk states from multiple aspects, as well as understanding the fluid nature of transitions between different risk states. Prevention and intervention strategies aimed at enhancing resilience, such as increasing sense of control, perceived meaningfulness, and belief in emotional regulation, may contribute to reducing the risk of suicide among adolescents.

Social support: mediating the emotional intelligence-academic stress link

Introduction

This study examines the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and academic stress among tertiary-level students who continued academic activities remotely during the pandemic and the mediating role of social support (SS) in the relationship.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional survey design, 429 students studying business, engineering, social science, and science in Bangladesh provided data via Qualtrics. Using the Structural Equation Modeling in SmartPLS 4 (4.0.8.9), we modeled emotional intelligence as the reflective-formative and social support (support from family, friends, and significant other) and perceived academic stress as the reflective-reflective, second-order constructs. We also conducted a one-way between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) to investigate the impact of gender (male and female) and current stage of academic study (Undergraduate year one to four and post-graduation) on emotional intelligence and academic stress, respectively.

Results and discussion

Results show that all the hypothesized relationships are statistically significant: EI is negatively related to perceived academic stress, and SS significantly mediates the relationship between EI and academic stress. Hence, essential strategies are suggested to help students for managing academic stress.

Beyond emotional intelligence: The new construct of meta-emotional intelligence

Meta-emotional intelligence is a recently developed multidimensional construct that, starting from the original ability model of emotional intelligence, focuses on the cognitive aspects of emotional abilities and on the metacognitive and meta-emotional processes that influence our emotional life. Thus, meta-emotional intelligence is the combination of emotional abilities and meta-emotional dimensions, such as the beliefs about emotions, the self-concept about one's emotional abilities, and the self-evaluation of performance. This article aims to illustrate the theoretical and methodological background of this construct and to describe the IE-ACCME test, an original multi-method tool that has been developed to measure the different variables that compose meta-emotional intelligence. Applications of this construct will be discussed, as well as future directions.

Coping in Anger Episodes: Developmental Differences and Self-Efficacy Beliefs

Anger has been recognized as a natural emotion; however, its poor management in adolescence is associated with some adverse developmental outcomes. The aims of this study were to compare the antecedents and coping strategies of anger episodes between adolescents and adults and the role of perceived self-efficacy on the coping strategies. A total of 88 adolescents (44 female, M_age = 16.81 years, SD = 1.21) and 94 adults (49 female, M_age = 28.11 years, SD = 5.82) reported an anger episode and the coping strategy adopted. Participants also filled in the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale (RESE). The results show that there are no specific antecedents among only adolescents or adults, although there are differences between the two age groups. Furthermore, the results indicate a different use of coping strategies between adolescents and adults. Specifically, a greater propensity of adolescents to use more often maladaptive strategies such as avoidance and denial emerged, but in addiction inaction, considered an adaptive strategy, can also be found. However, although adults use less maladaptive coping strategies they report a high frequency of feeling of powerlessness. The adaptive differences in coping also are explained by the different levels of self-efficacy beliefs of the participants. These findings are discussed in the light of the adaptive role of the coping strategies.

Impacts of Self-Efficacy on Food and Dietary Choices during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in China

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global public health emergency, increasing the prevalence of emotional distress, and potentially leading to altered diet behavior. Self-efficacy measures various aspects of perceiving and understanding emotions. The present study was carried out with the objective of understanding the effect of emotional self-efficacy on dietary behavior and quality. It also shed light on which elements contributed to the link between food-related behavior and perceived dietary quality during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the factor analysis of nineteen food groups, choices, consumption, and socioeconomic status were examined in a sample of 441 Chinese participants. Multiple linear regression examined the association between food consumption, dietary quality, and self-efficacy. Contrary to prior research, the intake of salty snacks and alcoholic beverages dropped by 3.3% and 2.8%, respectively, during the first lockdown. Emotional self-efficacy negatively mediated the relationship between socioeconomic status and dietary quality. In conclusion, emotional self-efficacy is a well-established tool for evaluating how Chinese people cope with negative emotions. As an individual’s dietary quality was affected during the imposed lockdown, the present study offers valuable insight into psychosocial factors that may contribute to health disparities by advocating for organized nutritional support in future epidemic-related quarantines.

Emotional intelligence as a mediator between attachment security and empathy in pre-clinical medical students: A multi-center cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of emotional intelligence (EI) and attachment security (AS) with empathy dimensions in medical students by examining the mediating role of EI.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional design, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and demographic questions were administrated to second-year medical students of two medical schools in Northern Italy.

RESULTS

253 medical students (56.13% female), aged 19-29, participated in this study. AS positively correlated to Empathic Concern (r = 0.17, p = 0.008) and Perspective Taking (r = 0.24, p < 0.001), and negatively to Personal Distress (r = -0.33, p < 0.001). Individuals with the same level of AS and a higher score on EQ-i had a higher score (β = 0.072, p = 0.033) on empathy latent factor (at the basis of Empathic Concern and Perspective Taking) and a lower score (β = -0.290, p < 0.001) on Personal Distress than those with a lower EQ-i score.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that EI completely mediated the relationship between AS and empathy dimensions among medical students.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

EI training and workshop should be considered when designing educational interventions and programs to enhance empathy and decrease interpersonal distress in medical students.

Regulatory emotional self-efficacy and psychological distress among medical students: multiple mediating roles of interpersonal adaptation and self-acceptance

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) is more common among medical students than in the general population, and is an important cause of insomnia, internet addiction, substance abuse, decreased academic performance and increased suicidality in medical students.

METHODS

To examine the mechanism by which regulatory emotional self-efficacy affects medical students' psychological distress, a questionnaire of 539 medical students using an interpersonal adaptability scale, regulatory emotional self-efficacy scale, self-acceptance scale and depression-anxiety-stress scale was conducted.

RESULTS

① Regulatory emotional self-efficacy, interpersonal adaptability and self-acceptance are positively correlated, but they are negatively correlated with psychological distress. ② The mediation model shows that interpersonal adaptation and self-acceptance are the mediation variables of the effect of regulatory emotional self-efficacy on psychological distress, and the total mediation effect value is -0.37, accounting for 86.05% of the total effect (-0.43). Specifically, the effect involves three paths: first, regulatory emotional self-efficacy indirectly affects psychological distress through interpersonal adaptation (effect value-0.24); second, regulatory emotional self-efficacy indirectly affects psychological distress through interpersonal adaptation and self-acceptance (effect value-0.08); and third, regulatory emotional self-efficacy indirectly affects psychological distress through self-acceptance (effect value -0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Interpersonal adaptation and self-acceptance have a significant mediating effect between regulatory emotional self-efficacy and psychological distress, and the chain mediating effect of interpersonal adaptation and self-acceptance is also significant.

Examining Associations Among Emotional Intelligence, Creativity, Self-efficacy, and Simultaneous Interpreting Practice Through the Mediating Effect of Field Dependence/Independence: A Path Analysis Approach

Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is a cognitively complex activity due to the concurrent nature of receiving and producing messages. Previous research confirms that SI is profoundly influenced by cognitive, attitudinal, and psychological mechanisms. Following this line of enquiry, the present investigation proposes a unique model by integrating cognitive and psychological factors related to the professional performance in SI. Specifically, this study examined a model to test the predictive and mediational effects of emotional intelligence, creativity, self-efficacy, and field dependence/independence (FD/FI) on simultaneous interpreting. A total of 248 university students majoring in Translation Studies completed measures of General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Emotional-Quotient Inventory (EQ-I), Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT), General Embedded Figures Test (GMFT), and two SI tasks, namely the oral cloze test (OCT) and the listening and memory recall exercise (LMRE). The path analysis supported the direct effect of creativity and its indirect effects mediated by FD/FI on SI. Emotional intelligence made only a significant indirect effect on SI through FD/FI. Self-efficacy, on the other hand, made only a significant direct effect on SI. Emotional intelligence and creativity also contributed significantly to the prediction of FD/FI. The analyses also revealed a significant correlation between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy and also between creativity and emotional intelligence. Finally, FD/FI directly predicted simultaneous interpreting. Other hypothesized associations were not found to be statistically significant. The findings suggest that psychological attributes can have a great impact on students' performance in simultaneous interpreting training exercises. Implications of the study and the research avenues are discussed.

Effect of soft skills and emotional intelligence of health-care professionals on burnout: a Lebanese cross-sectional study / Effekte von Soft Skills und emotionaler Intelligenz auf Burnout von Fachkräften im Gesundheitswesen: eine Querschnittsstudie aus dem Libanon

Objectives

The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of soft skills and emotional intelligence on burnout among health-care professionals in Lebanon.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among health-care professionals working all over Lebanon for a period of 3 months starting from March till June 2021. In total, 324 out of 345 contacted health-care professionals responded. The survey was anonymous and administered via social networks as a link to an electronic form. The study included general sociodemographic questions and validated scales to measure emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale [TMMS-24]), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory for Health Services Survey [MBI-HSS]), and soft skills.

Results

Higher burnout was associated with lower soft skills (β = −0.137). Job satisfaction was negatively associated with burnout (β = −8.064). Nurses had higher burnout levels than dentists, radiologists, midwives, nutritionists, psychotherapists, and speech therapists (β = −4.595). Also, people working in Baalbek, Akkar, Beqaa, North and South had lower burnout levels compared to those working in Beirut (β = −9.015). As for emotional intelligence, no statistically significant association was found with burnout (P = 0.116).

Conclusion

This study showed that soft skills and emotional intelligence can affect job burnout. Additional research should be conducted in order to support our findings.

Self-efficacy Toward a Healthcare Career Among Minority High School Students in a Surgical Pipeline Program: A Mixed Methods Study

OBJECTIVE

While many barriers to healthcare careers exist for URM students, a strong sense of self-efficacy may help mitigate these obstacles. This study explores how URM high school students describe their academic challenges and compares their descriptions across self-efficacy scores.

DESIGN

We conducted a convergent mixed methods study of URM high school students. Students completed a validated self-efficacy questionnaire and participated in semi-structured focus group interviews to discuss their approach to academic challenges, goal setting, and achievement. The primary outcome was academic, social, and emotional self-efficacy, measured using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children. We separated participants into high and low self-efficacy groups based on scores in each domain. Using thematic analysis, we identified and compared common themes associated with academic challenges and goal setting.

SETTING

Surgical exposure pipeline program sponsored by Stanford University Department of Surgery PARTICIPANTS: Low-income, high academic achieving URM high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and/or healthcare careers.

RESULTS

Thirty-one high school students completed the focus groups and self-efficacy questionnaire. Most students scored in the high self-efficacy group for at least one domain: 65% for academic self-efficacy, 56% for social self-efficacy, and 19% for emotional self-efficacy. Four emergent themes highlighted participants' perspectives toward educational success: fulfillment in academic challenges, focus on future goals, failing forward, and asking for help. Compared to students with low self-efficacy scores, students in the high-scoring self-efficacy groups more often discussed strategies and concrete behaviors such as the importance of seeking support from teachers and peers and learning from failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Students in high self-efficacy groups were more comfortable utilizing approaches that helped them succeed academically. Additional efforts are needed to bolster student self-efficacy, particularly in students from URM backgrounds, to increase diversity in medical schools.

Can We "Brain-Train" Emotional Intelligence? A Narrative Review on the Features and Approaches Used in Ability EI Training Studies

Recent studies had demonstrated that specific emotional intelligence (EI) abilities (as measured using the MSCEIT) were related to better performance on cognitive tasks that involved emotional information but not on their non-emotional counterparts. These findings suggest that cognitive control and other executive functioning processes (e.g., working memory) contribute to EI abilities. A well-functioning EI ability is crucial for a number of everyday activities and life outcomes. However, the evidence for training ability EI remains vague as to how these improvements occur. The purpose of this narrative review was to synthesize findings from past EI training research, specifically focusing on their methodology. This was to identify key aspects of the interventions used, to determine the prototypical features between them, as well as to propose a compelling research agenda for future EI training studies. Based on the features found in these studies, we identified two possible approaches in which EI improvements occurred. The first approach was through increasing emotional knowledge and related competencies through teaching and practice. These features were found in the majority of training interventions using a workshop-style training format, reflections, role-plays, and practice with other participants. The second approach used brain-training principles to improve basic cognitive processes, such as executive control or emotional inhibition. Using a cognitive training approach to EI training can provide several advantages, such as allowing researchers to examine EI improvements using the theories of (1) transfer; (2) plasticity; and (3) process-specific changes.

Emotional intelligence in Greek teacher education: Findings from a short intervention

Emotional intelligence (EI) is widely known to be crucial for professional development in education, and it is a curricular component of Greek teacher education. Still, there is little information available on student teachers’ EI. The aim of this study was to explore whether student teachers’ trait EI can be developed through a two-week, EI-focused intervention. The study followed a quasi-experimental design with a mixed method approach, using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (Greek version) (N = 42) and reflective emotion diaries (N = 19). The participants were third-year undergraduate students studying primary education and teaching at the University of Crete. While the results from the statistical analysis showed no development of student teachers’ trait EI, the findings from the thematic analysis of the reflective emotion diaries suggested that this intervention was beneficial, facilitating emotion identification and potentially enabling emotion regulation through increased self-awareness. The study concludes with a discussion of its limitations and practical implications for future intervention studies on EI.

The Mediating Role of Engagement on the Achievement and Quality of Life of University Students

(1) Background: Academic engagement has been reported in the literature as an important factor in the academic achievement of university students. Other factors such as emotional intelligence (EI) and resilience have also been related to students' performance and quality of life. The present study has two clearly delimited and interrelated objectives. First, to study the mediational role that engagement plays in the relationship between EI and resilience on quality of life. Secondly, and similarly, to study the mediational role of engagement in the relationship between EI and resilience, but in this case on academic achievement. (2) Methods: For this purpose, four scales frequently used in the literature to measure emotional intelligence, resilience, academic engagement and quality of life were administered to 427 students of the University of Jaén undertaking education degrees. In addition, students were asked to indicate their current average mark as a measure of academic performance. Two mediational models based on structural equations were proposed to analyse the relationships between the proposed variables. (3) Results: The results obtained showed that emotional intelligence and resilience directly predicted students' life satisfaction, but this direct relationship did not result in academic performance. In addition, and assuming a finding not found so far, engagement was shown to exert an indirect mediational role for both life satisfaction and academic performance of students. (4) Conclusions: The findings of the study support the importance of engagement in the design and development of instructional processes, as well as in the implementation of any initiative.

Cross-Database Micro-Expression Recognition Exploiting Intradomain Structure

Micro-expressions are unconscious, faint, short-lived expressions that appear on the faces. It can make people's understanding of psychological state and emotion more accurate. Therefore, micro-expression recognition is particularly important in psychotherapy and clinical diagnosis, which has been widely studied by researchers for the past decades. In practical applications, the micro-expression recognition samples used in training and testing are from different databases, which causes the feature distribution between the training and testing samples to be different to a large extent, resulting in a drastic decrease in the performance of the traditional micro-expression recognition methods. However, most of the existing cross-database micro-expression recognition methods require a large number of model selection or hyperparameter tuning to select better results from them, which consumes a large amount of time and labor costs. In this paper, we overcome this problem by exploiting the intradomain structure. Nonparametric transfer features are learned through intradomain alignment, while at the same time, a classifier is learned through intradomain programming. In order to evaluate the performance, a large number of cross-database experiments were conducted in CASMEII and SMIC databases. The comparison of results shows that this method can achieve a promising recognition accuracy and with high computational efficiency.

Influence of Leader Mindfulness on the Emotional Exhaustion of University Teachers: Resources Crossover Effect

This study combined conservation of resources theory with the job demands-resources model to explore the influence of leader mindfulness on the emotional exhaustion of university teachers Using a time-lagged research design, 388 paired data sets were gathered. Multiple regression and bootstrapping were used to test each hypothesis. The results showed that first, leader mindfulness significantly reduces the emotional exhaustion of university teachers. Second, the results showed that workplace telepressure partially mediates the relationship between leader mindfulness and the emotional exhaustion of university teachers. Third, university teacher mindfulness positively moderates the relationship between leader mindfulness and workplace telepressure. Finally, the results of this study indicate that self-efficacy in managing negative emotions negatively moderates the relationship between workplace telepressure and the emotional exhaustion of university teachers. This study empirically examined the interpersonal influence of leader mindfulness and the initial resources effect of university teacher mindfulness and self-efficacy in managing negative emotions from the bilateral perspective of leaders and university teachers.

Temporal changes in emotional intelligence (EI) among medical undergraduates: a 5-year follow up study

BACKGROUND

Emotional intelligence (EI) is thought to play a significant role in professional and academic success. EI is important for medical personnel to cope with highly stressful circumstances during clinical and academic settings. The present prospective follow-up study intends to evaluate the changes in EI and their correlates among medical undergraduates over a five-year period.

METHODS

Data were collected in 2015 and 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. EI was assessed using the validated 33-item self-assessment tool, Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). In addition, socio-demographic details, students' involvement in extracurricular-activities during undergraduate life, students' satisfaction regarding the choice of studying medicine and plans to do postgraduate studies were also evaluated. A multiple-regression analysis was conducted among all students using percentage change in EI score as the continuous dependent variable, together with other independent variables (plan to do postgraduate studies, satisfaction in choice of medicine and extracurricular-activities).

RESULTS

Sample size was 170 (response rates-96.6%), with 41.2% males (n = 70). Mean EI scores at baseline among all students was 122.7 ± 11.6, and it had significantly increased at follow-up to 128.9 ± 11.2 (p <  0.001). This significant increase was independently observed in both males (122.1 ± 12.2 vs. 130.0 ± 12.4, p <  0.001) and females (123.1 ± 11.1 vs. 128.2 ± 10.3, p = 0.001). During follow-up, an increase in EI score was observed in students of all religions and ethnicities. Mean EI score also increased in all categories of monthly income, irrespective of the employment status or attainment of higher education of either parent. An increase in mean EI score during follow-up was observed in students irrespective of their engagement in or number of extracurricular-activities, they were involved. In the multiple regression analysis, being satisfied regarding their choice of the medical undergraduate programme (OR:11.75, p = 0.001) was the only significant factor associated with the percentage change in EI score.

CONCLUSION

EI in this group significantly improved over 5-years of follow-up and was independent of gender, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic parameters and academic performance. Satisfaction in the chosen field was a significant predictor of the overall change in EI. Future studies are  needed to identify and measure factors responsible for improvement in EI among medical undergraduates.

Cultivating emotional intelligence in child welfare professionals: A systematic scoping review

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize and appropriately respond to emotions in oneself and others; these competencies include, but are not limited to, empathy, emotion regulation, reflective ability, self-awareness, and psychological flexibility. Such abilities are crucial to meaningful and effective child welfare work. Further, they are part of resilience and healthy coping mechanisms, which are important for those working in child welfare if compassion fatigue and burnout are to be combated. However, little is known about how to cultivate these competencies in child welfare professionals. The present study had two goals: 1) To conduct a systematic scoping review of the literature on interventions purporting to develop and/or enhance EI-related competencies in this population, whether those interventions be at the caseworker, supervisor, or organizational level; 2) To consider future directions for the teaching and enhancement of EI competencies for child welfare professionals. A total of 18 studies met inclusion criteria, with the majority focused on developing mindfulness and/or empathy skills. However, no studies focused on child welfare professionals, and instead focused on social work students or professionals, with a few including other helping professionals. Additionally, none were focused on a supervisory or organizational level. Future directions for research are discussed, including the use of experiential or simulation-based training in order to elicit emotions within a safe and supportive learning context, the use of reflective supervision to help develop self-reflection and emotion regulation skills, and system-wide interventions that enhance the development of emotional intelligence competencies in public child welfare organizations.

Teaching emotional and social competencies: Efficacy of a work readiness program designed for vulnerable youth

BACKGROUND: As emotional and social competency training proliferates within a work readiness context, concerns remain regarding their efficacy. Data on these programs tends to be scarce and outcome objectives are often poorly defined. OBJECTIVE: Authors developed and tested a work readiness emotional and social competency program specifically designed for at-risk young adults, tailored with best practices in mind. METHOD: 84 clients of a community organization that provides employment support to young adults with disabilities (48 men and 36 women) with a mean age of 28.17 years (SD = 11.64) completed measures of emotional intelligence and alexithymia on either side of the 4-week intervention. RESULTS: Men’s interpersonal scores and women’s adaptability scores showed significant improvement across the intervention. In addition, women’s scores in both identifying and describing feelings improved significantly, as did men’s scores in describing feelings. CONCLUSIONS: Within the context of work readiness, participants in an intervention to improve emotional and social competencies can see key improvements to competencies linked to occupational attainment.

Emotional competence at work

Purpose

The study investigated emotional competence at work and elaborated emotional competence in relation to sociocultural aspects of emotions at work.

Design/methodology/approach

Emotional competence at work was explored via interviews, surveys and observations. The study was conducted over one year, during which an emotion-training intervention was conducted within a medium-sized company, operating in the healthcare sector.

Findings

The study shed light on emotional competence at work, identifying three domains: individual emotional competence, emotional competence within interactions and emotional competence embedded in workplace practices.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in one organization.

Practical implications

Organizational developers are recommended to implement activities such as training interventions in order to build emotional competence; this applies not only at the individual level but also to achieve interaction among members of the organization within collective workplace practices.

Originality/value

Previous studies on emotional competence have been limited to the individual level. The sociocultural approach to emotional competence adopted in this study recognizes – in addition to the individual and interactional level of emotional competence – emotional competence at work as related to practices at work.

It Must have been Burnout: Prevalence and Related Factors among Spanish PhD Students

Recent studies in different countries indicate that PhD students are more vulnerable to psychological disorders compared to the general population. No such data are available for the Spanish population. This study addresses this issue by studying prevalence rates and factors related to a common response to prolonged stress such as burnout syndrome. Burnout, emotional abilities, resilience, satisfaction with the dissertation advisor, and sociodemographic data were collected from 305 PhD students. The results indicated that the burnout rates are high in this group, especially for the emotional exhaustion dimension. Different linear regression models explained between 14% and 41% of the overall burnout scores variance and its dimensions. The psychological variables and the satisfaction with the dissertation advisor were the most relevant predictors. Consistent with what has been found in other countries, the evidence found indicates that the mental state of PhD students in Spain is alarming. The results of this study have important implications for the design and implementation of interventions to alleviate this problem.

Stability and Change in Trait Emotional Intelligence in Emerging Adulthood: A Four-Year Population-Based Study

Trait Emotional Intelligence (EI)-related competencies are in growing demand in educational and vocational settings. The present study assesses the developmental dynamics of trait EI in emerging adulthood by capitalizing on the inclusion of a measure of trait EI in the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) called the Emotional Quotient Inventory: Mini (EQ-i: Mini). A sample of 1064 young adults (50% female) from ages 20-21 to 24-25 years was used to assess 4-year rank-order stability and mean-level change of trait EI, as well as whether the EQ-i: Mini functions equivalently over time (longitudinal measurement invariance). Results revealed full configural, partial metric, and scalar invariance of the construct for this time period. The Stress Management subscale achieved invariance at the residual level. After controlling for partial non-invariance, moderate levels of rank-order stability coefficients were found, suggesting malleability of the construct during emerging adulthood. Consistent with the maturity principle, there was a moderate increase in trait EI (specifically in the Interpersonal and Adaptability subscales). The malleability of trait EI suggests opportunities for enhancing socioemotional competencies in emerging adults, such as through formal and continuing education programing, on-the-job training, and targeted employment interventions.

The Contribution of Emotional Intelligence to Career Success: Beyond Personality Traits

This study sought to investigate the role of emotional intelligence in both extrinsic and intrinsic career success in early and later career stages. Specifically, we examined the predictive and incremental validity of emotional intelligence in career success after controlling for personality factors in a sample of 271 graduates. When analyzing extrinsic career success, regression analyses revealed that demographic variables, such as gender, age, area of study and career stage, and the variable of proactive personality, were related to salary. When the dependent variable was job satisfaction, emotional intelligence acted as a strong predictor, even when personality traits and proactive personality were controlled. These findings provide preliminary evidence that emotional intelligence is a relevant addition to guide the achievement of career success. Finally, limitations of the results and implications of these findings are discussed.

Can emotional intelligence be improved? A randomized experimental study of a business-oriented EI training program for senior managers

PURPOSE

This article presents the results of a training program in emotional intelligence.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Emotional Intelligence (EI) involves two important competencies: (1) the ability to recognize feelings and emotions in oneself and others, and (2) the ability to use that information to resolve conflicts and problems to improve interactions with others. We provided a 30-hour Training Course on Emotional Intelligence (TCEI) for 54 senior managers of a private company. A pretest-posttest design with a control group was adopted.

FINDINGS

EI assessed using mixed and ability-based measures can be improved after training.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

The study's results revealed that EI can be improved within business environments. Results and implications of including EI training in professional development plans for private organizations are discussed.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between emotion recognition ability and intelligence

The ability to recognise others' emotions from nonverbal cues (emotion recognition ability, ERA) is measured with performance-based tests and has many positive correlates. Although researchers have long proposed that ERA is related to general mental ability or intelligence, a comprehensive analysis of this relationship is lacking. For instance, it remains unknown whether the magnitude of the association varies by intelligence type, ERA test features, as well as demographic variables. The present meta-analysis examined the relationship between ERA and intelligence based on 471 effect sizes from 133 samples and found a significant mean effect size (controlled for nesting within samples) of r = .19. Different intelligence types (crystallized, fluid, spatial, memory, information processing speed and efficiency) yielded similar effect sizes, whereas academic achievement measures (e.g. SAT scores) were unrelated to ERA. Effect sizes were higher for ERA tests that simultaneously present facial, vocal, and bodily cues (as compared to tests using static pictures) and for tests with higher reliability and more emotions. Results were unaffected by most study and sample characteristics, but effect size increased with higher mean age of the sample. These findings establish ERA as sensory-cognitive ability that is distinct from, yet related to, intelligence.

Predicting the Pursuit of Post-Secondary Education: Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence in a Longitudinal Study

Trait Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a constellation of emotional self-perceptions and dispositions related to perceiving, understanding, using, and managing emotions of self and others. Although higher trait EI has been implicated in post-secondary success among university students. There is lack of evidence for whether it predicts the pursuit of post-secondary education (PSE) in emerging adulthood. This was the first study to investigate the role of trait EI in PSE pursuit using a large, nationally-representative sample of Canadian young adults who participated in the National Longitudinal Survey for Children and Youth (NLSCY). Participants in this dataset reported on their PSE status at three biennial waves (age 20-21, 22-23, and 24-25), and completed a four-factor self-report scale for trait EI (Emotional Quotient Inventory: Mini) at ages 20-21 and 24-25. Higher trait EI subscale scores were significantly associated with greater likelihood of PSE participation both concurrently, and at 2- and 4-year follow-ups. Overall, these associations were larger for men than women. The finding that these links persisted over a multi-year period is particularly promising, as it represents an important validation step toward further investment in socioemotional competencies as part of youth development interventions.

Does Stress Mediate the Association Between Emotional Intelligence and Life Satisfaction During Adolescence?

BACKGROUND

Based on Mayer and Salovey's model of emotional intelligence, this study examined whether perceived stress mediates the interplay of emotional intelligence and life satisfaction for girls and boys during early and middle adolescence.

METHODS

Using multigroup structural equation modeling with questionnaire data from a sample of Spanish adolescent students (N = 800; M_Age T1 = 14.02, M_Age T2 = 15.00, SD = 1.21) in 2 waves (T1 = March 2015; T2 = December 2015).

RESULTS

Results of multigroup structural equation modeling indicated no group differences between boys and girls in early adolescence (7th and 8th grade) and middle adolescence (9th and 10th grade), as stress function as mediator between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction for all groups. However, latent mean comparison indicated that girls not only perceive and understand emotions better than boys, but they also perceive higher amounts of stress at an older age.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate the potential risk of perceived stress that might drop the protective effect of emotional intelligence on life satisfaction. These findings have implications for future research and educational practice considering combined prevention programs for adolescent's health and well-being.

The Effect of Self-Care Education on Emotional Intelligence of Iranian Nursing Students: A Quasi-experimental Study

This study aimed to determine the effect of self-care training on emotional intelligence of nursing students. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on nursing students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2016. The subjects (60 students) that were collected with random sampling method were divided into experimental and control groups, and then, self-care behaviors were taught to the experimental group' students in 12 sessions by using a checklist. The subjects of control group were not taught. Emotional intelligence was measured by using Bradberry and Greaves' standard questionnaire before and after the intervention. Emotional intelligence scores of students in the experimental group showed positive and significant change between before (75.33 ± 7.23) and after (125.70 ± 7.79) of training (P < 0.001). Also t test shows a significant change in control (78.73 ± 6.54) and experimental groups (125.70 ± 7.79), after of training (P < 0.001). It is recommended that special programs be organized in order to improve the emotional intelligence of students that improve the likelihood of their success in life.

Depression, anxiety, and stress among college students in Jordan and their need for mental health services

INTRODUCTION

Psychological distress (in the form of depression, anxiety, and stress) among college students is prevalent and increasing. In most instances, college students with mental health issues are not seeking treatment. Although not a new phenomenon, little progress has been made toward promoting students' use of mental health services in Jordan.

AIM

To measure depression, anxiety, and stress among college students in Jordan and explore their awareness of available mental health services.

METHODS

A convenience sample (n = 600) was tested using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Students answered questions concerning the use of campus mental health services.

RESULTS

Findings showed college students have a moderate level of depression, severe level of anxiety, and a moderate level of stress. Half were not aware that psychological support services were available, although 54.4% indicated they experienced problems.

CONCLUSION

Similar results have been reported in non-Arab countries. Anxiety appears to be high in college students worldwide. Strategies are needed to promote awareness of resources and encourage access. Nurses are ideally suited for promoting awareness among students on seeking help. They are also needed to screen students for mental health problems and provide counseling as needed.

Emotional intelligence training intervention among trainee teachers: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Emotional intelligence (EI) has often been linked to improvements in professional performance. Indeed, generic competencies related to EI have been included in university curricula. However, learning EI involves significant time and effort on the part of students, and this may hinder the acquisition of specific content for each degree. In this study, an intervention to develop EI in higher education students is described and evaluated.

Methods

The intervention consisted of eight group sessions performed in a regular course aiming to increase EI. The sessions included strategies and training on perceiving and understanding one’s own emotions and others’ emotions, identifying and understanding the impact one’s own feelings in adopting decisions, expressing one’s own emotions and the stress experienced, and managing both one’s own emotions and emotions of others. Participants were 192 students studying for a Master of Primary Education degree. A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was adopted. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using multi-level analyses.

Results

The results showed a significant improvement in the EI of students in the experimental group compared with the control group.

Conclusions

This research demonstrates that it is possible to develop EI in higher education students, without hindering the acquisition of specific content competencies and, therefore, without interfering with their academic performance and without overburdening students with work outside the classroom.

Trial registration

The experiment has been registered in the Initial Deposit of the Spanish Center for Sociological Research (CIS). 7/6/2015. http://www.cis.es/cis/opencms/ES/index.html.

Improving Emotional Intelligence: A Systematic Review of Existing Work and Future Challenges

Emotional intelligence (EI) can be defined as the ability to identify, express, understand, manage, and use emotions. EI has been shown to have an important impact on health, relationships, and work/academic performance. In this article, we present a systematic review of 46 EI intervention studies on adult populations in order to assess their outcomes. Overall, these findings provide some support for the efficacy of EI programs. However, important limitations in most of the studies restrict the generalizability of their results. We discuss the contributions and limitations of these studies and make recommendations for the development and implementation of future interventions.

Secure Attachment and Career Indecision: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence

Over the past few decades, researchers have been trying to understand the career decision-making process from interpersonal and affective perspectives. Previous findings suggest that secure attachment is negatively linked to career indecision, but the extent to which other variables mediate this relation is less clear. The present study was designed to identify underlying mechanism in the relation between attachment and career indecision. This was done by examining a model which links secure attachment with career indecision through the mediating role of emotional intelligence. Participants included 362 female undergraduate students from a large Southern University. A path model was tested to investigate (a) the direct association of attachment to three dimensions of career indecision (lack of readiness, lack of information, and inconsistent information) and (b) whether emotional intelligence mediates the relations between attachment and the career indecision dimensions, while controlling students’ age. Results indicated a very good fit for the proposed path model. With two exceptions, results provided support for the study’s hypothesis regarding the direct and mediated links in the model; all paths were in the expected direction. Results of the study provide support for the notion that different antecedents may explain career decision-making difficulties, and therefore, college women may require diverse intervention approaches

Enhancing the Prediction of Emotionally Intelligent Behavior: The PAT Integrated Framework Involving Trait EI, Ability EI, and Emotion Information Processing

Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been conceptualized in the literature either as a dispositional tendency, in line with a personality trait (trait EI; Petrides and Furnham, 2001), or as an ability, moderately correlated with general intelligence (ability EI; Mayer and Salovey, 1997). Surprisingly, there have been few empirical attempts conceptualizing how the different EI approaches should be related to each other. However, understanding how the different approaches of EI may be interwoven and/or complementary is of primary importance for clarifying the conceptualization of EI and organizing the literature around it. We introduce a theoretical framework explaining how trait EI, ability EI, and emotion information processing – a novel component related to EI recently introduced in the literature (e.g., Fiori and Vesely Maillefer, 2018) – may contribute to effective emotion-related performance and provide initial evidence supporting its usefulness in predicting EI-related outcomes. More specifically, we show that performance in a task in which participants had to infer the mental and emotional states of others, namely a Theory of Mind task, was predicted jointly (e.g., interaction effects) by trait EI, ability EI, and emotion information processing, after controlling for personality and IQ (N = 323). Our results argue for the importance of investigating the joint contribution of different aspects of EI in explaining variability in emotionally laden outcomes.

The mediating role of emotional intelligence on the autonomic functioning - Psychopathy relationship

Reduced autonomic activity is a risk factor for psychopathy, but the mechanisms underlying this association are under-researched. We hypothesize that emotional intelligence mediates this relationship. Emotional intelligence, cognitive intelligence, scores on the Psychopathy Checklist- Revised (PCL-R), skin conductance, and heart rate were assessed in 156 men from communities in Los Angeles. Emotional intelligence fully mediated the relationship between autonomic functioning and total psychopathy after controlling for cognitive intelligence for both autonomic measures. Full mediation was also found when using PCL-R factors and facets as outcome variables, with the exception of a partial mediation of the heart rate - Antisocial facet relationship. These findings are the first to document emotional intelligence as a mediator of the blunted physiological stress activity - psychopathy relationship, and are interpreted within the framework of the somatic marker and somatic aphasia theories of psychopathy. Possible implications for treatment interventions are also discussed.