EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A PREDICTOR OF BURNOUT AMONG PRINCIPALS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined emotional intelligence as a predictor of burnout among principals in public secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. Six research questions guided the study, while six hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The population comprised 275 principals of public secondary schools in Anambra State, from which a sample of 165 principals was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Principals' Emotional Intelligence Scale (PEIS) and the Principals' Burnout Scale (PBS). The instruments were validated by experts, while the reliability coefficients, determined using Cronbach's Alpha, were 0.908 for PEIS and 0.810 for PBS. Data were analysed using simple regression analysis, and hypotheses were tested using the p-value at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that emotional intelligence and its dimensions significantly predicted burnout among principals, with self-regulation and empathy emerging as the strongest predictors. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Anambra State Ministry of Education and the Post Primary Schools Service Commission should organise regular emotional intelligence development and stress management programmes to enhance principals' emotional competencies and reduce burnout.