IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE RESEARCH STRESS: A STUDY OF GENDER DIFFERENCES

Abstract

The study aimed to determine how EI affected both male and female research students' levels of research stress. Public universities located at Karachi and Jamshoro recognized by HEC were population of the study. The Current study was purely descriptive. In this study quantitative approach was used. Research scholars’ responses were collected through a Survey technique. The study's participants were research scholars from public and private universities. Sample size was comprised of 300 (160 male & 140 female) research students and through the use of random sampling technique, data was gathered. Two research tools EI and research stress were used to collect the data from research students. The mean emotional intelligence score for both male and female students was 2.30, indicating low emotional intelligence. The research stress mean score was (M= 3.60) which shows the high level of research stress among male and female. The emotional intelligence scores of male and female scored differed significantly (t= -5.000, p= <.001). Additionally, there were significant differences between male and male respondents' levels of research stress (t= 8.990, p=.001). Emotional Intelligence and Research Stress were found to have a similar negative effect (-.784, p= 0.01) in both male and female students. Sincelower EI levels are associated with higher stress, we should work to help students increase their emotional intelligence to reduce their stress towards research.