The relationship between the principals' emotional intelligence and conflict management: based on latent profile...

The emotional intelligence (EI) of principals is a critical factor influencing leadership effectiveness and school management. This study aims to explore the heterogeneity of principals' EI and investigate the differences in conflict management behaviors among principals with varying EI traits.

A total of 363 principals from 27 provinces and autonomous regions in China were recruited for this study. The Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and the Conflict Management Test (M8L4) were used to assess principals' EI and conflict management behaviors, respectively. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct EI profiles among the participants.

The LPA revealed three distinct EI profiles among principals: "low EI," "middle EI," and "high EI." Significant differences were observed in conflict management behaviors across these profiles, particularly in problem-solving, forcing, and avoiding behaviors. Principals with higher EI levels demonstrated more effective problem-solving strategies, while those with lower EI levels tended to rely more on forcing or avoiding behaviors.

The findings highlight that the differences in EI among Chinese principals are primarily reflected in their levels, which significantly influence their conflict management approaches. These results underscore the importance of emphasizing EI in the selection and training of school principals. Enhancing EI can promote effective conflict resolution and improve overall school management efficiency.