An Investigation of the Relationship Between State Anxiety and Emotional Intelligence Levels of 8th Grade Students

This study aims to examine the relationship between state anxiety and emotional intelligence levels of 8th-grade students who simultaneously experience adolescence and the high school entrance exam. The population of the study consists of 8th-grade students attending middle schools in the central district of Karabük during the 2023-2024 academic year, while the sample includes 358 students. The research employs the relational survey method, one of the quantitative research methods. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, State Anxiety Scale, and Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 27 statistical program. It was determined that 47,8% of the participating students were female, and 52,2% were male. The average score of students on the Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale was observed to be 96,2±17,66. The subscale mean scores were found as follows: self-focused emotion appraisal 25,03±5,47, other-focused emotion appraisal 24,6±5,61, self-focused emotion regulation 22,59±5,99, and other-focused emotion regulation 23,98±5,89. The mean score on the State Anxiety Scale was determined to be 45,49±10,06. When comparing the descriptive characteristics of the students within the study and their scores on the Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale and its subscales, it was found that the self-focused emotion regulation subscale score of male students was significantly higher than that of female students (p=0.032). Additionally, students whose fathers had a middle school education had significantly lower scores on the other-focused emotion appraisal subscale compared to those whose fathers had a postgraduate degree (p=0.024). The results of the study indicate that there are some significant differences between state anxiety and emotional intelligence levels of 8th-grade students. Specifically, male students had higher self-focused emotion regulation levels than female students, and the father's education level influenced the other-focused emotional intelligence subscale.