Emotional intelligence as a predictor of happiness among students

Emotional intelligence (EI) has attracted interest in the field of education as a vehicle to improve the socio-emotional development of students. People with highly developed EI are proven to be more successful in the workplace. They can use their emotions as clues to what their body and mind are trying to tell them. Emotionally intelligent people are known to evaluate situations as less stressful which result in a higher satisfaction with life and happiness. Happiness is one of the psychological variables which are related to physical and mental health and it is the mental or emotional state of well-being which is characterized by positive or pleasant emotions. Previous studies have revealed that women on an average are more aware of their emotions, show more empathy and are more adept interpersonally. Present study aimed to find out whether EI is a significant predictor of Happiness. Results revealed that EI is significantly correlated to happiness as well as all the dimensions of the Emotional intelligence scale (EIS) (i.e, Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Social-awareness and Social-skill) and overall EI. Happier individuals were found to regulate their emotions better and control their impulses; moreover, happiness increases the level of Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Social awareness and Social-skills. So far as the gender differences are concerned, females scored higher than the males. Females tend to be more emotional and intimate in relationships than males, so their emotional intelligence ought to be higher. Higher emotional intelligence among females can also be explained in terms of some of their personality characteristics like; empathy, social responsibilities and interpersonal relationships.