Emotional intelligence among collegiate athletes: A comparative study of individual and team sports participants

Emotional Intelligence (EI) significantly influences athletes’ behavior, interpersonal dynamics, and performance outcomes. This study investigates the differences in emotional intelligence between collegiate athletes engaged in individual and team sports at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Palakkad. A total of 120 athletes (56 from individual sports and 64 from team sports) completed the Emotional Intelligence Scale developed by Dr. C.D. Agashe and Dr. R.D. Helode. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in overall EI scores between the two groups (p = 0.855463). Nonetheless, distinct patterns emerged: individual sport athletes demonstrated stronger self-awareness and emotional regulation, whereas team sport athletes excelled in empathy and interpersonal relations. These findings offer valuable implications for coaches and sports psychologists in designing sport-specific emotional skills training.