A Correlational Study Between Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy among Higher Secondary School Students in Aizawl
Authors
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Pachhunga University College, Mizoram University (India)
Student, Department of Psychology, Pachhunga University College, Mizoram University (India)
Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, Mizoram University (India)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110200108
Subject Category: Psychology
Volume/Issue: 11/2 | Page No: 1213-1223
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-02-23
Accepted: 2026-02-28
Published: 2026-03-17
Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy are two significant psychological constructs that influence adolescent adjustment, academic performance, and resilience. Emotional intelligence pertains to the capacity to perceive, comprehend, regulate, and utilise emotions effectively, whereas self-efficacy denotes an individual’s confidence in their ability to successfully complete tasks and attain goals. The present study examined the correlation between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among higher secondary school students in Aizawl, Mizoram, and also investigated gender differences within these constructs. A sample of 265 students (124 males and 141 females) was selected via convenience sampling from three higher secondary educational institutions. Data collection was conducted through the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Reliability assessments demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency for both scales (α = .79 and α = .76, respectively). Independent samples t-tests and Pearson’s product–moment correlation analysis were employed. The results indicated a moderate positive correlation between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy (r = .41, p < .01). Notably, significant gender differences emerged, with male students scoring higher on both emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. These findings underscore the importance of emotional competence in enhancing adolescents’ efficacy beliefs and imply potential applications for educational interventions.
Keywords
Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, Higher Secondary School Students
Downloads
References
1. Acosta-Prado, J. C., Zárate-Torres, R. A., & Tafur-Mendoza, A. A. (2022). Psychometric properties of the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale in a Colombian Manager sample. Journal of Intelligence, 10(2), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence10020029 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Ali, A., Saleem, N. & Rahman, N. (2021). Emotional Intelligence of University Students: Gender Based Comparison. Bulletin of Education and Research. Vol. 43, No.1 pp. 255-265 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018). https://dictionary.apa.org/emotion [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W H Freeman/Times Books/ Henry Holt & Co. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Bar-On R. (2006). The Bar-On model of emotional-social intelligence (ESI). Psicothema, 18 Suppl, 13–25. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Bar-On, R. (2007). A broad definition of emotional-social intelligence according to the Bar-On model. Retrieved on 1/25/09 from http://www.reuvenbaron.org/bar-onmodel/essay.php?i=2. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Beri, N. & Akhoon, A. (2021). Emotional self-efficacy among senior secondary school students: An Exploratory Study of Kashmir. International Refereed Journal of Reviews and Research Volume 6 Issue 3 May - June 2018 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Bharadwaz, D. & Hussain, R. (2020). A Study on Emotional Intelligence of Secondary School Students with Special Reference to Kamrup (M)District of Assam. International Journal of Management, 11(12), pp 1580-1588. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=11&Issue=12 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Bhat, A.A. (2017). Emotional Intelligence of Higher Secondary School Students With Respect to Their Gender. International Journal of Indian Psychology, Vol. 5, (1), DIP: 18.01.105/20170501, DOI: 10.25215/0501.105 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Brackett, M. A., & Salovey, P. (2006). Measuring emotional intelligence with the Mayer-Salovery-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Psicothema, 18 Suppl, 34–41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Chaudhury, B.R. (2020). Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement of Higher Secondary School Students. Maharshi Dayanand University Research Journal ARTS, Vol. 19 (1) pp.27-36 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Colomeischi, A.A. and Colomeischi, T. (2014), “Teachers’ attitudes towards work in relation with emotional intelligence and self-efficacy”, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 159, pp. 615-619. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Costa, H., Ripoll, P., Sánchez, M., & Carvalho, C. (2013). Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy: effects on psychological well-being in college students. The Spanish journal of psychology, 16, E50. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2013.39 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Drigas, A., & Papoutsi, C. (2018). A new layered model on emotional intelligence. Behavioral Sciences, 8(5), 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs8050045 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Fabio, A.D. and Palazzeschi, L. (2008), “Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy in a sample of Italian high school teachers”, Social Behavior and Personality, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 315-326. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Gharetepeh, A., Safari, Y., Pashaei, T., Razaei, M., & Bagher Kajbaf, M. (2015). Emotional intelligence as a predictor of self-efficacy among students with different levels of academic achievement at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Journal of advances in medical education & professionalism, 3(2), 50–55. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Goleman, D. (1998a). What Makes a Leader? Harvard Business Review, 76, 93-102 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Goleman, D. (2012). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Random House. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional Intelligence: 25th Anniversary Edition. United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Jawaad Ahmed, Farah Latif Naz, Wali Muhammad, Aziz Ul Nisa, & Asad Ullah Khan. (2022). The Role of Self-Efficacy in Emotional Intelligence and Career Adaptability Challenges among PhD Scholars. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7485549 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Jayakrishna, K. (2020). Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy Among Secondary School Students. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, IJCRT. Volume.8, Issue 4, pp.4108-4111, April 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Jerusalem, M., & Schwarzer, R. (1992). Self-efficacy as a resource factor in stress appraisal processes. In R. Schwarzer (Ed.), Self-efficacy: Thought control of action (pp. 195-213). Washington, DC: Hemisphere. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Jindal, S. & Dutt, S. (2023). Emotional Intelligence and Self- Efficacy: A Comparative Study Between Primary and Secondary School Teachers. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 11(3), 1216-1233. DIP:18.01.117.20231103, DOI:10.25215/1103.117 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Kanesan, P., & Fauzan, N. (2019). Models of Emotional Intelligence: A Review. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, e-BANGI, suppl. Special Issue 7; Bangi Vol. 16, 1-9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Kumar, M. (2020). A Study on the Emotional Intelligence of Higher Secondary School Students. Shanlax International Journal of Education, vol. 8, no. 3, 2020, pp. 114–119.DOI: https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v8i3.2395 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. LeDoux J. E. (2000). Emotion circuits in the brain. Annual review of neuroscience, 23, 155–184. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.23.1.155 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Lee, K. H., & Song, J. S. (2010). The effect of emotional intelligence on self-efficacy and job stress of nurses-mediating role of self-efficacy. Journal of Korean academy of nursing administration, 16(1), 17-25. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Maddux, J. E. (2016). Self-efficacy. In Interpersonal and intrapersonal expectancies (pp. 41-46). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. R. (2008). Emotional intelligence: new ability or eclectic traits?. The American psychologist, 63(6), 503–517. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.6.503 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Mayer, J.D. & Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? In P. Salovey & D. Slater (Eds.), Emotional development and emotional intelligence: Educational applications (pp. 3-31). New York: Basic Books. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Ojha, D. (2022). A Study of Self efficacy Among Higher Secondary Students in Relation to Mental Health Academic Achievement and Personality. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/450852 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Putri, G. M., Kawuryan, S. P., Saptono , B. ., & Fianto, Z. A. . (2024). The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Improving Student Self-Efficacy. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 8(2), 370–378. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v8i2.68257 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Rastegar M & Memarpour S (2009). The relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among Iranian EFL teachers. System, 37(4), 700–707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2009.09.013 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Sabatelli, R. M., Anderson, S. A., & LaMotte, V. A. (2005). Assessing outcomes in child and youth programs: A practical handbook. University of Connecticut and State of Connecticut. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional Intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 9(3), 185-211. https://doi.org/10.2190/DUGG-P24E-52WK-6CDG [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Sangeetha, M. (2024). A Study on Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence among Secondary School Students in Warangal District In View of NEP 2020. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Research. Vol.5, No. 12, pp 88-93 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Sharma, A. (2021). A Study of Self-Efficacy Among Male and Female College Students. International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering. Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp 87-91December-2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Sun, G., & Lyu, B. (2022). Relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among college students: the mediating role of coping styles. Discover Psychology, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-022-00055-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Tabatabaei, S., Jashani, N., Mataji, M. and Afsar, N.A. (2013), “Enhancing staff health and job performance through emotional intelligence and self-efficacy”, Procedia–Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 84, pp. 1666-1672. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
41. Talekar, P. R. (2024). A Study on Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence among Seconday School Students in Warangal District In View of NEP 2020. International Journal of Advance and Applied Research, 5(12), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11654246 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
42. Talluri, S. (2018). Self-Efficacy of Secondary School Students in Relation to Their Gender and Type of Management. International Journal of Research And Analytical Reviews (IJRAR). Volume 5, issue 3, pp 1131-1133 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
43. Traymbak, S., Sharma, A., & Dutta, M. (2022). Reliability and Construct Validity assessment of Wong and Law emotional Intelligence scale and satisfaction with life scale in the Indian hospitality industry. Annals of Neurosciences, 29(2–3), 121–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/09727531221100249 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
44. Tsarenko, Y. and Strizhakova, Y. (2013), “Coping with service failures: the role of emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and intention to complain”, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 47 Nos 1/2, pp. 71-92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
45. Wang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022). The Interrelationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and Burnout among Foreign Language Teachers: A Meta-Analytic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.913638 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
46. Waraich, J., & Chechi, V. (2017). Validation of General Self-Efficacy Scale in Indian Context. Indian Journal Of Positive Psychology, 8(4), 639-644. doi:10.15614/ijpp/2017/v8i4/165906 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- A Comparative Study of Adjustment Level, Parental Income and Academic Achievement of Adolescent Girls
- Increase in STIs among Adolescents in Masvingo District
- A Correlation between SDG 4 (Quality Education) and Emotional Disposition of Teacher Educators in Hyderabad District
- Ear Piercing Behaviour and Self-Esteem among Male University Students in Nigeria
- A Study of Religiosity and Psychological Well-Being