Emotional Intelligence and Mood States associated with Optimal Performance

Abstract

This study utilized a within-subject design to investigate relationships between emotional intelligence and memories of mood states associated with optimal and dysfunctional performance in competitive sport and academic situations. Sport students (N = 436) completed a self-report Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), whilst retrospective accounts of mood states associated with optimal and dysfunctional sporting competition and academic examination performance were recorded using the Brunel Mood Scale. Repeated measures MANOVA results indicate that mood states associated with optimal and dysfunctional performance are situation-specific (Sport x Academic Interaction: Pillai's Trace 8,428 = .70, p < .00, Partial eta squared = 0.09). Differences in mood states between optimal and dysfunctional performance were more pronounced for athletic situations, thereby suggesting mood states are associated with performance, but the nature of these relationships are situation-specific. A further analysis was completed to explore the role of emotional intelligence in mediating mood performance relationships. A MANCOVA comparing differences in mood states by performance (optimal and dysfunctional performance) by situation (sport and academic) controlling for EIS scores indicated a significant threeway interaction effect. Findings indicate that selfreported beliefs of emotional intelligence are associated with optimal mood states for different situations. Future research should continue to investigate the influence of emotional intelligence in performance contexts. The ultimate objective being to develop an understanding of the role emotional intelligence plays in contextualised optimal performance.

The relationship between emotional intelligence, self-determined motivation and performance in canoeists

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Is there a link between the volume of physical exercise and emotional intelligence (EQ)?

“…At a personal level, a higher EQ was positively linked to the application of various psychological skills in sport, including imagery and self-talk (Lane, Thelwell, Lowther, & Devonport, 2009). Further, a higher EQ was associated with pleasant emotional states before optimal performance, while a lower EQ was linked to negative emotional states prior to dysfunctional performance (Lane et al, 2010). Finally, evidence shows that athletes score higher on EQ than non-athletes (Costarelli & Stamou, 2009;Szabo & Urbán, 2014), that is attributed to athletic training in which participants need to recognize and control their own emotions and read and respond to opponents' or teammates' emotions (Szabo & Urbán, 2014;Zizzi et al, 2003).…”

Developing emotion abilities and regulation strategies in a sport organization: An action research intervention

“…However, research examining the value of emotional intelligence in sport is scant, with only a handful of correlational studies testing the link between self-reported emotional intelligence and performance outcomes. Generally, the literature supports the use of self-report emotional intelligence for better understanding the emotion process that guides athletic performance (e.g., Lane Devonport, Soos, Leibinger, & Hamar, 2010;Pearlini & Halveson, 2006;Zizzi, Deaner, & Hirschhorn, 2003) and coach efficacy (e.g., Thelwell, Lane, Weston, & Greenless, 2008) in sport.…”