EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A PREDICTOR OF IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ILORIN METROPOLIS

Abstract

Emotional intelligence includes awareness, empathy, connections, and self-regulation. Emotionally intelligent people have better relationships, stress management, and personal and professional success. The study examined how emotional intelligence predicts impulsivity in Ilorin metropolitan secondary school students. The research included all 66,236 Ilorin students. 400 students from selected schools were randomly chosen. The study collected data using the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) and Impulsive Behavior Scale (IBS) in a descriptive survey design. Five counselor education experts validated the instrument. The reliability index was 0.87. Four research questions and five hypotheses guided the investigation. Analyses included descriptive and inferential statistics. At 0.05 significance, t-tests were used to test hypotheses, and percentages were utilized for demographic data. The study found that respondents' emotional intelligence includes reading others' emotions and thoughts, understanding nonverbal cues, and ignoring negative moods to continue their day. Impulsive conduct was described as doing scary things, giving up easily, and making up their decision without thinking, among others. Gender does not affect student’s emotional intelligence or impulsivity. School type does not affect pupils' emotional intelligence or impulsivity. Class or stage does not affect students' emotional intelligence or impulsivity. Thus, it was recommended that emotional intelligence and skills be taught in schools to help students develop, manage, and control their emotions for improved performance in Ilorin and Nigeria.