Emotional Intelligence and Its Relationship to Quality of Life among University Students

A Field Study at Salahaddin, Sulaimani, and Raparin Universities

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence dimensions and quality of life in a sample of university students. Employing a descriptive-correlational method, the researchers developed a questionnaire featuring 24 items for emotional intelligence and 18 for quality of life. It was distributed online to a random, stratified sample of 420 students from Salahaddin, Sulaimani, and Raparin Universities, comprising 239 females and 181 males. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS software. Key findings revealed that dimensions of "Social Competence" and "Self-Awareness" were generally high among participants. In contrast, "Self-Regard," "Empathy," "Self-Management," and overall emotional intelligence scored at a moderate level. The overall quality of life was reported as high. Statistically significant gender differences emerged. Females scored higher in "Self-Awareness," "Empathy," "Self-Management," "Self-Regard," overall emotional intelligence, and quality of life. Males, however, scored higher only in "Social Competence." Furthermore, students with a poor family economic status had a lower quality of life compared to those with good or average status. Finally, a strong positive correlation was found between all emotional intelligence dimensions and quality of life. Specifically, "Social Competence," "Self-Awareness," and "Self-Regard" had a significant direct influence on quality of life, whereas "Self-Management" and "Empathy" did not demonstrate such an effect.