A comparative study of dimensions of Emotional Intelligence of higher secondary school students with respect to Gender and Locality

ABSTRACT Higher Emotional Intelligence (EI) is associated with better mental health and greater life satisfaction. The present study examines the four dimensions of emotional intelligence: Intrapersonal Awareness (understanding one’s own emotions), Interpersonal Awareness (understanding others’ emotions), Intrapersonal Management (managing one’s own emotions), and Interpersonal Management (managing others’ emotions). These dimensions are explored concerning the mental well-being of individuals, with a focus on gender and locality. Higher emotional intelligence is linked to inner strength, self-confidence, self-assuredness, and self-awareness, all of which are critical for mental well-being. Data for the study were collected using the Dr. S.K. Mangal and ShubhraMangal Emotional Intelligence Inventory, which comprises 100 questions. The sample consisted of 160 students (80 males and 80 females) from Class XI and XII, randomly selected from two urban and two rural higher secondary schools in Mandsaur District, Madhya Pradesh. The statistical analysis included frequency distribution of scores obtained on the Emotional Intelligence Inventory across the four dimensions and t-test for investigating significance difference, with respect to gender and locality. The findings reveal that males scored higher in Intrapersonal Awareness and Interpersonal Management, while females scored higher in Interpersonal Awareness and Intrapersonal Management. There was no significant difference between males and females in Interpersonal Awareness and Intrapersonal Management, suggesting similar levels of emotional intelligence and mental well-being in these dimensions. However, based on the total mean score, females scored higher than males, indicating higher emotional intelligence and better mental well-being among females. In terms of locality, urban students scored higher than rural students in three dimensions—Intrapersonal Awareness, Interpersonal Awareness, and Interpersonal Management. On the other hand, rural students scored higher in Intrapersonal Management. Despite this, no significant difference was observed between urban and rural students in any of the dimensions of emotional intelligence. Nevertheless, the total mean score shows that urban students scored higher than rural students, indicating greater emotional intelligence and better mental well-being among urban students. KEY WORDS– Emotional Intelligence, Intrapersonal awareness, Interpersonal Awareness, Intrapersonal Management, Interpersonal Mangement,Mental Wellbeing