The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement of Medical Students at Udayana University

Abstract

Emotional intelligence combines aspects of interpersonal interaction that can improve individual performance and awareness for successful academic development. This quantitative analytical study with a cross-sectional approach aimed to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement among medical students at Udayana University. The sample included 171 students from the 2022 cohort selected via total sampling. Emotional intelligence was measured using the SSEIT questionnaire covering emotion regulation, appraisal, utilization, and social skills, while academic achievement was determined by the 5th-semester GPA. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman's correlation. The results indicated an average emotional intelligence score of 116.55 ± 14.13, with 79.5% of respondents falling into the “With Honors” GPA category. Spearman's correlation showed no significant relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement (r_s = 0.128, p = 0.094). Furthermore, no significant relationships were found in the specific sub-domains of emotion regulation, assessment, utilization, or social skills. In conclusion, there is no significant relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement in this group. Therefore, further research involving medical students from various batches is recommended to obtain a more comprehensive picture.