A study on Emotional Intelligence & Empathy in Allied Vision Sciences Students

Abstract

Purpose:
 To study the emotional intelligence and empathy in allied eye care workers.
 Methods:
 After ethical approval of study, a google form was developed which included Schutte’s scale and Davis Interpersonal index questions in addition to those related to basic demographic information. The proforma was sent via social media application (whatsapp) to study participants. Allied vision sciences students enrolled in bachelors program at various colleges/universities were included in study. A total of 150 students were invited to participate in this study out of whom 119 responded. Comparison of emotional intelligence scores based upon gender, year of study and boarder/non-boarder were done by applying Mann Whitney and one way ANOVA test. 
 Results:
 Female responders were predominant (77.3%) in survey while majority (32.8%) of participants were in first year of study. When compared based upon boarder versus non-boarder, the sub scale of ‘’social skills’’ showed significant difference (p=0.017) with Non-Boarders scoring higher. Also, ‘’emotional regulation’’ scores were significantly higher (p=0.050) among second year students as compared to other years.
 Conclusion:
 Among allied vision sciences students, emotional intelligence significantly differs in some subscales when measured according to being boarder or not and year of degree program.