Relation between Dental Student’s Emotional Intelligence (EI) and their Perceived Stress Level in Chennai- A Cross Sectional Study

Context: Emotional intelligence (EI) is a social form of intelligence that enables people to recognize their own and others' emotions and to make appropriate choices for thinking and action. Dental students can experience high levels of stress. Emotional intelligence can moderate stress and increase wellbeing. The aim of the study is to determine the relation between dental student's emotional intelligence and their perceived stress level. Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the relation between dental student's emotional intelligence and their perceived stress level. Methods and Material: A cross sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 177 dental students in Chennai in which Emotional Intelligence was measured using the Schutte et al Emotional Intelligence scale and stress level was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The questionnaire was filled by the surveyed subjects Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics was done to represent the demographic characteristics of the participants. Pearson's correlation was used to explore the relationship between EI and PS. Pearson's correlation, independent samples t-tests and analysis of variance were conducted to explore the relationship between demographic variables and EI and PS. Analysis of variance was used to compare four domains of EI. Statistical significance was set at P=0.05. Results: Most of the study participants were females which constitutes 83.1% and males 16.9%. There existed a negative correlation between EI and PS (r=−0.45, p=0.27), indicating that as EI increased, PS decreased. A significant negative correlation was found between EI and PS among the students. No difference was found in EI across the domains. Conclusions: A significant negative correlation was found between EI and PS among the students. No difference was found in EI across the domains.