Correlation Between Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking Disposition Among Nursing Students at University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

Abstract Emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition are fundamental skills that influence the professional competence of nursing students. This study examined the correlation between emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition among nursing students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. A cross-sectional correlational study design was adopted. Stratified random sampling was used to select 255 participants across different academic levels. Data were collected through validated structured questionnaires assessing emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was utilized for data analysis, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean scores) and Pearson correlation for inferential statistics. The sample was predominantly female (76.5%), with a mean age of 22.4 ± 2.9 years. Assessment of emotional intelligence showed low levels across all domains, with mean scores ranging from 1.9 to 2.4 (cut-off = 3.0). Managing one’s emotions, perception of emotions, managing others' emotions, and utilization of emotions all recorded low ratings. Similarly, critical thinking disposition showed consistently low means across all domains truth-seeking (mean = 2.8), open-mindedness (mean = 2.9), analyticity (mean = 2.8–3.1), systematicity (mean = 2.7–2.9), confidence in reasoning (mean = 3.0–3.2), inquisitiveness (mean = 2.6–2.7), and maturity of judgment (mean = 2.5–2.7) all below the benchmark mean of 3.5.A positive, moderate, and statistically significant correlation was found between emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition (r = 0.421, p = 0.001).The findings indicate that emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition are both low among nursing students, suggesting a gap in essential cognitive and emotional competencies necessary for clinical practice. Keywords: Correlation, Critical Thinking Disposition, Emotional Intelligence, Nursing Students. .