Association between emotional intelligence and academic success among undergraduates: A cross-sectional study in KUST, Pakistan

Abstract

The study investigated the association between emotional intelligence and academic success among undergraduates of Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST), Pakistan. A sample of 186 students who were enrolled during the semester Fall 2015 to Spring 2018 was selected through a random sampling technique. A cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational research methods were employed in this study. A standardized tool “Emotional Intelligence Scale” was employed for the collection of information from the undergraduates. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the students was considered as academic success. Data were collected through personal visits. Statistical tools i.e., simple percentage, mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, Pearson’s product-moment correlation and multiple linear regression were employed to reach the desired research outcomes. The findings revealed that there was a strong positive relationship ( r = 0 . 880 ) between emotional intelligence and academic success among undergraduate students. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that self-development ( Beta = 0 . 296 ), emotional stability ( Beta = 0 . 197 ), managing relations ( Beta = 0 . 170 ), altruistic behaviour ( Beta = 0 . 145 ), and commitment ( Beta = 0 . 117 ) predict academic success of undergraduates positively. The findings suggest that the emotional intelligence of the undergraduate students may be further improved so that their academic performance may further be enhanced.

Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement of university students

“…During university life students enhance their abilities and capabilities along with their academic achievement. In Pakistan many studies were conducted on the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement such as Adnan, Chaudhry and Malik (2012) on students of management sciences; similarly Suleman, Hussain, Syed, Parveen, Lodhi, & Mahmood, (2019) conducted study on science and technical students, Kayani, Kayani, & Saleem (2015) conducted similar students on postgraduate level students of Public Sector Universities of Rawalpindi Pakistan; Malik, & Shahid, (2016) conducted a similar study on business students but no study was available on undergraduate students. So, it is needed to study the levels of emotional intelligence of students to help them in achieving personal distinction in the subjects they are studying.…”

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“…The results revealed that students with a higher level of emotional intelligence achieved better academic results. In addition, academic success was strongly associated with the managing relations, integrity, and self-development dimensions, and moderately associated with self-awareness, empathy, self-motivation, emotional stability, value orientation, commitment, and altruistic behaviour [ 44 ]. McCann et al’s meta-analysis concluded that emotional intelligence is a predictive factor for academic success, especially in humanities-related areas of knowledge.…”