The Status of Emotional Intelligence and its Association with Demographic Variables among Students of Dezful University of Medical Sciences in 2013

Emotional intelligence is of paramount importance and is employed as a predictor of mental health، social، educational and career success. The aim of this study was to determine the status of emotional intelligence and its association with demographic variables among students of Dezful University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Subjects and A descriptive-analytical study was carried out. The population of the study comprized 234 students of the Dezful University of Medical Sciences selected by random sampling-quota. The research data were collected using demographic characteristics and Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was provided by content validity and internal consistency، and Cronbach''s alpha level of 0. 93 was reported. The majority of students (69 %) had an overall good level of emotional intelligence. There was a significant relationship between the overall emotional intelligence and marital status (P<0. 05). The relationship between emotional intelligence and demographic factors showed that there is a significant relationship between the self-esteem with gender and education level (P<0. 05). In addition، there was a significant relationship between the factors as self-actualization، empathy، problem solving، optimism with marital status (P<0. 05). The students had a good level of emotional intelligence in regard to emotional consciousness، self-esteem and impulse control، but improvement of other skills such as self-actualization، realism and self presentation are also important. Training classes organized by the experts are recommended for improving the skills and help students'' progress.