Association Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance Among Dental Hygiene Students

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been increasingly associated with the success of health care professionals, including dental professionals. Mental health, physical health, and life satisfaction all have been linked to having a high EI. The aim of this study was to determine any associations between EI scores and academic and clinical performance in a cohort of undergraduate dental hygiene students. All 63 first- and second-year dental hygiene students enrolled at The Ohio State University in the spring term 2017 were invited to participate in this quantitative cross-sectional study. The survey consisted of demographic questions and 30 emotional quotient self-assessment checklist questions divided into six EI subsets. The EI subset scores were then correlated with students' academic and clinical grades. A total of 45 students completed the questionnaire, for a response rate of 71.4%. Most of the participants scored between 16 and 19 for each EI domain, meaning they had a moderate EI level. A significant regression equation of EI subset scores and clinical GPA was found (F(3,41)=7.474, p<0.001), with an R² of 0.354. Simple linear regression was calculated to predict clinical performance based on EI, and a significant regression equation was found (F(3,41)=6.727, p<0.001), with an R² of 0.330. The EI subsets of self-control, motivation, and self-confidence were found to be predictors of overall academic performance. The EI subsets of social competence, empathy, and motivation were found to be predictors of clinical performance. These results suggest that more attention to the development of emotional intelligence may lead to improved academic and clinical performance among undergraduate dental hygiene students.