THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND COPING WITH STRESS AMONG OF STUDENTS OF SELECTED MEDICAL FACULTIES – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Aim: Assessment of the relationship between emotional intelligence and coping with stress among students of selected medical faculties. Material and methods: The study was conducted among 730 people who were students of the Medical University of Bialystok. The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire, the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (INTE) and The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results: In stressful situations, future nurses present the least of the task-oriented coping style, students of emergency medicine react least emotionally to stressful situations, and future doctors have the lowest rating for the avoidance-oriented coping style. Conclusions: Half of the surveyed students are characterized by a high level of emotional intelligence, slightly fewer subjects have an average level. Women are characterized by higher emotional intelligence; the highest level of emotional intelligence is found in students of emergency medicine and medical analytics. In stressful situations, women present mainly an emotional attitude, while men present a task-oriented coping style. Stress management training is recommended, especially in the female population.