Emotional Intelligence and Perceived Stress in Dental Undergraduates

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived stress (PS) in dental undergraduates. All dental undergraduates attending a UK dental school were invited to complete a questionnaire on age, gender, year of study, EI, and PS. Two hundred and thirteen students (48 percent male) participated, a response rate of 70 percent. The mean score for EI was 117.54 (S.D. 14.90) and PS was 17.73 (S.D. 6.49). Factor analysis confirmed four factors previously identified in the literature as comprising emotional intelligence: optimism/mood regulation, utilization of emotions, appraisal of emotions, and social skills. T‐tests indicated that females had significantly higher EI scores than males. Mean PS scores were significantly higher for students aged over twenty‐one years compared with those aged twenty‐one years or less (p<0.001), female compared to male students (p<0.05), and those in higher years compared to those in lower years of study (p<0.001). Correlational analysis showed an inverse relationship between EI and PS. Multiple regression analysis identified year of study, optimism/mood regulation, and gender as independent, significant predictors of PS. In conclusion, low EI scorers report more PS. Future research should investigate the relationships of EI and PS with impact on lifestyle behaviors, academic and clinical performance, and health outcomes.