The Relationship between Self-esteem and Emotional Intelligence among Undergraduate Medical Students of Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

摘要

The medical profession requires personnel who most times should be happy, confident, competent, social and a good team player. These good interpersonal behaviours are paramount for effective and productive medical practice. This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between self-esteem and emotional intelligence among undergraduate medical students of Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. One hundred and forty students consented to and participated in the study. Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale and Schutte Emotional Intelligence Test were used to assess self-esteem and emotional intelligence respectively. Results showed significant and positive correlation between self-esteem and global emotional intelligence (r = 0.237, p = 0.001), perception of emotion (r= 0.220, p = 0.001), management of own emotion (r = 0.272, p = 0.001), management of others’ emotion (r = 0.172, p = 0.05), and age (r = 0.177, p = 0.05). The medical students also had high levels of self-esteem (21.31±0.375), global emotional intelligence (124.63±1.156), perception of emotion (33.34±0.450), management of own emotion (34.50±0.358), management of others’ emotion (30.21±0.398) and utilization of emotion (24.20±0.259). No gender differences were noted in the variables. In conclusion, respondents exhibited high level of self-esteem and were emotionally intelligent. Self-esteem correlated positively and strongly with emotional intelligence. Medical schools should include self-esteem and emotional intelligence tests as part of their criteria for assessing medical students.