Influence of college life adjustment on emotional intelligence in dental hygiene students

Young-Sun Kim1,*   Jung-Hwa Lee1   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Daegu Health College

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of college life adjustment on emotional intelligence in dental hygiene students. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 550 dental hygiene students in Daegu from May to June, 2016. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, emotional intelligence scale, and student adaptation to college questionnaire using Likert 5 point scale. Data were analyzed by t-test, one way ANOVA, post hoc Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation test, and multiple regression test. Results: The mean scores of emotional intelligence 3.40 points and college life adjustment 3.14 points were above average. Every sub-field of emotional intelligence had static correlation, and there was a close correlation between college life adjustment and every specific field. The academic adjustment (r=0.515) and institutional adjustment (r=0.458) showed strong correlation with the emotional intelligence. The higher the emotional intelligence score was, the higher the college life adjustment was. Variables having statistically significant influence on college life adjustment included economic status, major satisfaction, self-emotional, use of emotional and emotional control (37.7%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Emotional intelligence played a significant role in dental hygiene students to adapt well with the demands of college life. The college should provide the efficient programs in the curriculum that helps enhance emotional intelligence of the students.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. General characteristics of study subjects N (%)