MANDEVILLE, Manchester:Doctoral candidate at Northern Caribbean University'sCollege of Graduate Education and Leadership, Andel Bailey, has joined the throng of educators to research intelligence.
In his study, 'Emotional-Social Intelligence of Students at a Jamaican University and its Relationship to their Academic Achievement' (2007), Mr. Bailey found a significant correlation between the Grade Point Average (GPA) of students and their level of emotional-social intelligence (ESI), especially in relation to Adaptability and Stress Management.
This suggests students who are more emotionally and socially intelligent, that is, aware of themselves and others, are better able to adapt to circumstances and to manage stress, and as a result, have a higher level of academic achievement.
Relevant findings
Mr. Bailey's research, the first of its kind reported in Jamaica, analysed how the emotional-social intelligence of students at a Jamaican university impact their academic achievement.
The study yielded several interesting and relevant findings.
The results suggest that emotional-social intelligence increases with age and that there is a significant difference by gender in the level of ESI, especially with regards to interpersonal relations and skills. The results indicate that females in the studied population are more responsible and dependable than the males, and generally have better social skills.
Interestingly, the study also found that students in the mathematics and nursing departments are better able to manage stress than students in the other departments.
Recommendations made
This study has not only initiated the discussion on the role of emotional-social intelligence in education, but has also brought to the fore a mechanism to the traditional Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests in predicting academic achievement.
In fact, studies show that ESI is a major determinant of success among leaders. While cognitive ability is a good indicator of success, research has shown that among outstanding leaders, ESI accounts for over 90per cent of the traits that contribute to their overall success.
From Mr. Bailey's research, recommendations have been made for the implementation of special programmes geared toward the development of the emotional-social intelligence of students, as there are indications that ESI has direct impact on their level of academic achievement.
Mr. Bailey's research has set the pace for similar studies to be conducted in Jamaica, and such studies are relevant, as it has been proven in other studies done outside of the region that ESI plays a vital role in the carrying out of leadership responsibilities and in overall career success.
The extent to which this is true in Jamaica needs to be ascertained.