Year: 2025 | Month: January | Volume: 15 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 179-188
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250122
Association between Emotional Intelligence, Emotional State and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Medical Students in India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dr Palmeira Dias1, Dr Neethu K Babu2, Dr Naveen Ramesh3
1,2,3Department of Community Medicine; St Johns Medical College, RGUHS University, Bangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr Palmeira Dias
ABSTRACT
Background: People with higher Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Emotional States (ES) have better mental health and demonstrate enhanced leadership skills.
Aim: To assess association between emotional intelligence and emotional state on academic performance in undergraduate (UG) medical students across India.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted among UG medical students aged 18 to 30 years across medical colleges in India. Semi-structured questionnaires which included socio-demographic profile, academic performance, Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).
Results: In this study, 342 participants participated and among them 56(16.4%), 186(54.4%) and 100(29.2%) had scored distinction, first and second class respectively and 114(33.33%), 109(31.87%) and 62(18.13%) were found to have anxiety, depression and stress respectively. There was negative association between EI scores with anxiety (p<0.001), depression (p<0.001) and stress (p<0.001). There was no significant association between EI and academic performance. Poor psychological outcome was present in 156(45.61%) participants. Students who secured 2nd class had poor psychological outcome (p=0.014) when compared with those who secured first class. Participants with low EI scores had poor psychological outcome (p=0.002) in comparison to those who had strong EI scores.
Conclusion: Low EI scores were significantly associated with anxiety, depression, stress and poor psychological outcomes among medical students. Steps to improve EI and ES among medical students will help them to tackle adverse situation and prevent early burnout.
Key words: Anxiety, depression, stress, emotional intelligence, medical students.