Trait Emotional Intelligence in Surgeons

Trait emotional intelligence (trait EI or trait emotional self-efficacy) concerns people's perceptions of their emotional functioning. Two studies investigated this construct in surgeons and comparison occupations. We hypothesized that trait EI profiles would differ both within surgical specialties as well as between them and other professions. Study 1 (N = 122) compared the trait EI profiles of four different surgical specialties (General, Orthopedic, Head and Neck, and Miscellaneous surgical specialties). There were no significant differences amongst these specialties or between consultant surgeons and trainees in these specialties. Accordingly, the surgical data were combined into a single target sample (N = 462) that was compared against samples of engineers, executives and senior managers, lawyers, junior military managers, nurses, and salespeople. Surgeons scored significantly higher on global trait EI than junior military managers, but lower than executives and senior managers, salespeople, and nurses. There were no significant differences vis-à-vis engineers or lawyers. A MANOVA confirmed a similar pattern of differences in the four trait EI factors (Wellbeing, Self-control, Sociability, and Emotionality). Global trait EI scores correlated strongly with single-question measures of job satisfaction (r = 0.47) and job performance (r = 0.46) in the surgical sample. These findings suggest that interventions to optimize the trait EI profiles of surgeons can be helpful in relation to job satisfaction, job performance, and overall psychological wellbeing.

Emotional Intelligence and Its Relationship with Emotional Well-Being and Academic Performance: The Vision of High School Students

Emotional intelligence skills in students may be related with physical and mental health, within and outside the academic field. Strengthening these skills can lead to greater overall well-being, lower use of substances, and improved academic performance, as well as reduced aggressive behaviours. The objective of this study was to analyse the levels of emotional intelligence (differentiating between the dimensions: emotional Attention, Clarity, and Repair) among high school students and examine its relationship with academic performance and emotional well-being, considering if there are differences between boys and girls and between different grades. A cross-sectional descriptive study was developed on a sample of 333 High School students using the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS) and KIDSCREEN-10 Index tools. Differences in emotional intelligence were observed between boys and girls for the three dimensions, and a relationship between emotional intelligence and student well-being was appreciated. No relationships were found between emotional intelligence and academic performance, nor have any differences been observed between the different courses analysed. It cannot be concluded that academic performance is related to emotional intelligence, but a relationship between well-being and emotional intelligence is found.

„Emotionale Intelligenz“ mit einem Fragebogen messen?

Zusammenfassung. Die faktorielle Validität des Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF) und der Beitrag der damit erfassten „Emotionalen Intelligenz“ (EI) zur Aufklärung von Schulerfolg wurden an N = 711 deutschen Schülerinnen und Schüler der 6., 7. und 8. Jahrgangsstufe überprüft. Explorative und konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen ergaben, dass weder das zugrundeliegende theoretische Vier-Faktoren-Modell noch der für die Kurzform vorgesehene globale EI-Wert mit den Daten vereinbar waren. Stattdessen resultierte eine dreifaktorielle Lösung mit 9 Items, welche auch im Vergleich zu Alternativmodellen am besten auf die Daten passte. Jenseits von verbaler Intelligenz und klassischen Persönlichkeitsvariablen lieferte der TEIQue-ASF keinen bedeutsamen Beitrag zur Varianzaufklärung der Schulleistung (Notendurchschnitt). Die Nützlichkeit des TEIQue-ASF wird diskutiert, weitere Validitätsüberprüfungen werden dringend empfohlen.

Predicting Career Decision-Making Difficulties: The Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence, Positive and Negative Emotions

The current study evaluated the relationship between positive and negative emotions, trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and difficulties in career decision-making. We examined whether trait EI could predict career indecisiveness, a type of career decision-making difficulty, over and above the "Big Five" personality traits. We also examined the mechanism through which trait EI affected career indecisiveness by investigating the mediating role of positive and negative emotions. Survey data were collected from a sample of 600 undergraduate students in a university in southwest United States, who completed questionnaires measuring trait EI, positive emotions, negative emotions, personality traits, and career indecisiveness. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that trait EI accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in career indecisiveness that was not explained by the "Big Five" personality traits. The parallel mediation analysis revealed that positive and negative emotions partially mediated the relationship between trait EI and career indecisiveness. Using the framework of Fredrickson's (2001) broaden and build theory of positive emotions, the study provides empirical evidence explaining the mechanism through which trait EI helps individuals cope better with challenging situations in life. Trait EI aids the elicitation of positive emotions and the down-regulation of negative emotions, which, in turn, broaden the range of thoughts and actions that come to mind, helping individuals function more effectively in the context of career decision-making. Implications for career counseling and opportunities for further research are discussed.

Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Adolescent Short Form: A Psychometric Investigation in Greek Context

This article aims to investigate the reliability and validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF) score in a sample of 440 Greek adolescents. The instrument’s score demonstrated good internal consistency and was significantly correlated with core self-evaluations as well with somatic complaints, self-report psychopathology, and personal strengths. It also explained a statistically significant increase in the prediction of outcome variables beyond core self-evaluations. It is concluded that the findings of the present study provide evidence that support the interpretation and use of the TEIQue-ASF score to assess the emotional self-perceptions of Greek adolescents.