Research of the Emotianal Inteligence of Bulgarian Physiotherapy Students

Abstract

Emotional intelligence is perceived as cognitive ability, social competence or personal disposition. It is a range of emotional competencies which determine the efficiency of human behavior.

The aim of the research was to establish the level of emotional intelligence of Bulgarian physiotherapy students and to compare it with the average values for the population. The subject of the research was a total of 50 students with major kinesitherapy who study at the National Sports Academy with mean age 23.5 years(S= 3,66): 23 men and 27 women with mean age 22.96 years (S=3,24) and 24 years (S=3,96) respectively.We used Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire of Schutte, N. S., Malouff, J. M., Hall, L. E., Haggerty, D. J., Cooper, J. T., Golden, C. J. & L. Dornheim. (1998). The SEIS consists of 33 items responded to on a 5-point Likert Scale.The possible range of scoresis from 33 to 165. This questionnaire was translated into Bulgarian in 2006 and adapted for Bulgarian conditions by StoyanovaS. (2010) with a sample consisting mainly of students (N=724). It allows to be interpreted as emotional intelligence both as a general construct and as different components of the construct. Results The physiotherapy students, included in this pilot research, show a little over average levels of emotional intelligence measured with the questionnaire of Schutte,еtal (1998). With the advancement in age and experience the women show a little higher level of emotional intelligence. The Bulgarian version of the emotional intelligence scale of Schutte can be used for determining the level of emotional intelligence of students so that the level of their performance at university as well as their future professional realization can be prognosticated. Conclusion The higher emotional intelligence will help the future physiotherapeutic specialists to fulfill successfully their personal potential. They will have a positive social attitude and good ability for adaptation in the community environment. They will also be able to build healthy relationships with their patients which is a major factor for their motivation to actively take part in the healing process.

DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/52-03