EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A FACTOR IN STUDENTS’ INTERPERSONAL INTERACTION

Abstract

The article describes that emotional intelligence is a systemic entity that includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components that determine the effectiveness of social interaction. It has been found that emotional intelligence is considered an important factor in social competence, adaptation, communicative effectiveness, and psychological well-being of a person. During student age, the development of emotional intelligence directly affects the quality of interpersonal relationships, social adaptation, and psychological resilience. It has been established that emotional intelligence is an integrative characteristic of a person, which reflects the ability to be aware of one’s own and others’ emotions, regulate emotional states, empathize, and effectively interact with other people. It is emphasized that the development of emotional intelligence is of particular importance during student age, since this period is characterized by the active formation of the personality, the search for one’s own identity, the formation of interpersonal relationships and professional orientations. Emotional competence at this time ensures effective social interaction, prevents conflicts, and promotes the development of empathy and leadership qualities. Analysis of the results showed that the vast majority of students have an average or above average level of emotional intelligence (over 75% of the sample). The highest indicators were demonstrated on the empathy and emotional awareness scales, while emotional self-regulation was less developed. Increasing the level and development of emotional intelligence is possible through targeted educational and training programs aimed at developing empathy, self-regulation, and communicative culture. The results of the study confirm theoretical propositions about the significance of emotional intelligence in the system of interpersonal relationships of students and indicate the need for its purposeful development in the process of professional training of future specialists.