Correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Stress in Undergraduate Medical Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:  Students face health related issues and stress due to burden of their studies. Emotions can affect one’s reactions, therefore Emotional Intelligence may help overcome the negative effects of stressful situations faced by the students. OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and academic stress in undergraduate students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional Correlational study. SETTING: The study was conducted among the undergraduate student of M Islam Medical College Gujranwala. Two hundred and ten students participated in the study.  METHODS: Schutte Emotional Intelligence and perceived stress scale proformas were given to participants and their EI and stress level was measured.  RESULTS: Totally, 116 (55.2%) of participants were females and 94 (44.8%) were males. Perceived stress score was associated with gender and study of year. Perceived stress score was higher in female and second year undergraduate students. No significant difference was observed in emotional intelligence score between both genders and study of year. There was significant correlation between EI scores and educational stress in undergraduate students (p < 0.001).  CONCLUSION: It is obvious from our study that the emotional intelligence scores and educational stress are negatively correlated. Educating students to improve EI may help prevent stress and optimize their overall wellness. Hence it is suggested that emotional intelligence awareness workshops and training be included in the educational programs of the undergraduate students.