Abstract
M.A.
The present study has been undertaken to investigate the relationship between sense of coherence and emotional intelligence.
92 respondents, who work in organisations and who were willing to complete the questionnaires, participated in the study. Sense of coherence has been measured by means of a sense of coherence questionnaire (Antonovsky, 1987). Emotional intelligence has been measured by means of an emotional intelligence questionnaire (Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, Cooper, Golden & Dornheim, 1997).
Various statistical techniques have been employed to test the research hypothesis. The first step in the data-analysis process has been the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the measuring instruments. The second step has been the calculation of the intercorrelation of the sense of coherence and emotional intelligence scales and subscales. The intercorrelations between the subscales were subsequently subjected to a principal factor analysis with iterated communalities and Direct Oblimin rotation. The number of factors were determined by means of a Scree test, theoretical expectations and the interpretability of the factor structure. During the third step the total score of the emotional intelligence questionnaire of the dependent variable and the subscales of the sense of coherence questionnaire as independent variables were used in a multiple-regression analysis.
The same procedure was followed during step four, but this time the total score of the sense of coherence questionnaire was specified as a dependent variable and the subscales of the emotional intelligence questionnaire were specified as independent variables.
The results show a moderate positive relationship between emotional intelligence and sense of coherence. This relationship can be attributed mainly to the effect of the two subscales, namely optimism (emotional intelligence) and meaningfulness (sense of coherence). Individuals who are optimistic appear to have a high level of sense of coherence. Similarly, it appears that individuals who perceive their lives as meaningful are emotionally intelligent. However, no statement regarding the causal relationship between the variables can be made.
This research can be applied in further research with a view to determine the role of emotional intelligence in stress management. In addition, the role that emotions play in the sense of coherence of individuals and resilience can also be investigated.