Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Self-Regulation: A Qualitative Case Study of Undergraduate University Students in Peshawar

Abstract

This study sought to explore the interplay between emotional intelligence and emotional self-regulation in undergraduate university students. This study was conducted to investigate the emotional intelligence level of undergraduate university students and to examine the difficulties faced by the students in the attainment of their emotional intelligence. The study was conducted in four universities in Peshawar; the sample included forty (40) purposively selected participants. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the qualitative findings. The results of the study show that most of the students faced several emotional problems in connection with their academic performance as well as in their personal lives. The findings also show that the students in the early level were significantly different in EI than the students in the senior semesters. These findings suggest that there should be resources, facilities, and guidance services options in universities for students to regulate their emotions properly.