Relationship between emotional intelligence and past involvement in co-curricular activity

Abstract

Little is known about the relationship between past involvement in co-curricular activities (CCA) in secondary school and level of emotional intelligence (EI) in early adulthood. Forty participants, who were students taking an introductory psychology class, took part in this study by self-reporting their past involvement in CCA and completing the Wong Emotional Intelligence Scale to assess their level of EI. The results suggest that, during secondary school years, participants who were in student associations is correlated to a significantly higher level of EI in later years than participants who took up sports as their CCA. Findings in this study are discussed in reference to the investment model of EI development and the Intentional Change Theory (ICT), followed by limitations faced in this study and directions for future research.