Effect of age and gender on emotional intelligence in medical students

Abstract

Background: Emotional intelligence is based upon self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. It is considered one of the strongest predictors of performance. Current study was planned to determine the effect of age and gender on emotional intelligence in medical students. Methods: Sample of the study comprised of 347 students of 2nd and 3rd year from Army Medical College Rawalpindi. The Quick Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire was used to measure Emotional Intelligence of the respondents, whereas the demographic information regarding their age, gender and year of study was recorded on a separate sheet. Descriptive and inferential analysis using multiple linear regression, t-test and chi square was employed to analyze the data. Results: Multiple regression analysis on age and gender revealed that gender had significant effect on emotional intelligence F (2, 344) = 6.13, (p< .01). Using multivariate analysis of variance, results further revealed that male gender was significantly associated with emotional management (p<.001) and relationship management (p<.000). Frequency comparison using chi square was used to determine differences in male and female students across three categories of EI which was significant at .05 level. Conclusions: Male gender was associated with high levels of emotional intelligence especially with emotional and relationship management in the present sample. However, age did not significantly contribute in EI. These findings further suggest that effect of gender on EI may be viewed with reference to sample specificity rather than ignoring it. Hence special consideration is needed when concluding that gender may impact EI.