Exploring the Association between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance and Stress Factors among Dental Students: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have been conducted to explicate the scope of emotional intelligence in educational success and coping with stress in different academic sectors, but very few have been conducted with dental students. This scoping review aimed to ascertain the role of emotional intelligence in academic performance and stress factors among dental students. Methods: All publications in the English language between 2001 and 2020 were retrieved employing MeSh keywords. Academic resources such as Pubmed, Pubmed Central, EMBASE, Web of Science, EBSCO-Host, Cochrane, PROSPERO, and ARU E-library were comprehensively searched for empirical research. One thousand, three hundred and fifty-nine papers were screened according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards for inclusion and exclusion criteria. These publications were then evaluated further by deleting duplicates, examining full-text articles, and conducting an abstract assessment. This review included a critical appraisal of 24 articles. Results: The narrative analysis method was applied to evaluate the data retrieved from publications regarding EI, academic performance, and stress factors. The review found that EI had a greater impact on the educational success of dental students throughout their clinical years. Moreover, EI may be a key tool in coping with stress and negative emotions. Higher EI scores were shown to be associated with better performance in organizational and leadership abilities, which are important for career advancement. Conclusion: The review suggested including EI training in the dental curriculum. Furthermore, EI should be used as a selection criterion for admission to dental education.

Association between history of academic failure during dental school and self‐reported depression, anxiety, and stress: A retrospective cohort

“…For the students whose first choice was not dentistry, medicine was their first option for undergraduate study (data not shown). The high expectations of the dental school or the challenge of choosing a new career may impair students during their academic trajectory due to the competition present in the market as well as the academic environment, generating frustration in these students 39,40 . However, based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that the first choice for undergraduate study does not impact academic performance.…”

Impact of Confinement on Coping Strategies and Psychosocial Factors among University Students

“…The results for the WLEIS-S scale showed an excellent fit [ 54 ], χ 2 (98) = 528,481, p < 0.001, con CFI = 0.946, TLI = 0.934, SRMR = 0.107, RMSEA = 0.088 (RMSEA 90% CI (0.081, 0.096)) and very good reliability rates α = 0.896 and ω = 0.897. The CFA for CSI scale showed an excellent fit [ 55 ], χ 2 (704) = 1,415,619, p < 0.001, con CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.948, SRMR = 0.058, RMSEA = 0.042 (RMSEA 90% CI (0.039, 0.045)) and good reliability rates α = 0.795 and ω = 0.818. Finally, the CFA results for DASS-21 also showed an excellent fit [ 49 ], χ 2 (186) = 205,669, p = 0.154, con CFI = 0.999, TLI = 0.999, SRMR = 0.038, RMSEA = 0.014 (RMSEA 90% CI (0.000, 0.024)) and excellent reliability rates α = 0.938 and ω = 0.938.…”

Assessment of the Satisfaction of Patients Treated by Undergraduate Dental Students at a Saudi Government University: A Cross Sectional Study [Letter]

“…Therefore, it is necessary to add EI training to the dental curriculum to support excellent service from dentists in the future. 5 …”

“… 1 We would like to recommend that it is necessary to provide initial post-graduate knowledge. - lectures to students regarding the correct procedures to follow when dealing with cases of dental trauma (Knowledge), 4 incorporating EI training into the dental curriculum to help students improve service performance, 5 as well as providing courses in prophylaxis, hygiene and periodontology which is directly related to the Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) of Dental Students which will increase patient satisfaction in dental services. 3 …”