Assessing trait emotional intelligence and its relationship with stress and health behaviour in the education sector: An empirical study from Uttarakhand, India

Background: Emotional intelligence of teachers can affect their mental and physical health as well their performance in school. Both emotional intelligence and health behavior can have an impact on stress. The majority of Indian studies have examined only one type of teachers, have used indigenous scales which are not internationally valid, and have not studied health behaviour. The role of age and gender on emotional intelligence is also a debatable subject which requires larger studies The present study was undertaken to evaluate the trait emotional intelligence, stress and health behaviour of teachers and to determine their inter-relationship and to assess the role of demographic and professional attributes on emotional intelligence. Methods: Teachers from different schools, colleges and professional institutes situated in Dehradun and nearby towns in the state of Uttarakhand, India were evaluated by internationally valid tools for the three parameters. Results: Emotional Intelligence of teachers has no relation with age, gender, educational qualification, level of teaching or type of institute. It has a negative correlation with stress and a positive correlation with health behaviour. Further, health behaviour is inversely related to stress. Conclusions: Assessment of emotional intelligence and health behaviour of teachers should be a part of their routine evaluation and training so that specific interventions to reduce stress and to improve their overall health and performance can be appropriately planned.