Date of Graduation

5-2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Higher Education (EdD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders

Advisor/Mentor

Michael T. Miller

Committee Member

Ketevan Mamiseishvili

Second Committee Member

Kit Kacirek

Keywords

Education, Alcohol abuse, College students, Drug use, Emotional intelligence, Higher education

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and substance abuse was examined. Limited research has been conducted to examine the role of EI as a contributing factor in a college student’s propensity to engage in substance abuse related behaviors. This study utilized correlation analyses to explore the relationship between the constructs of EI and substance abuse among a college student sample (N = 105). EI encompasses a subscale of abilities (perception of emotions, managing emotions in the self, Social skills or managing others’ emotions, and utilizing emotions) that were measured in undergraduate college students who completed the Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and The Simple Screening Instrument for Substance Abuse Self-Administered Form. Based on the EI construct, 6 research questions were generated. The study utilized Descriptive Statistics, an Independent Samples T-Test, a Pearson Product-Moment Coefficient of correlation (Pearson r), and Analysis of Variance to evaluate differences that existed between groups and the relationship between the variables of Emotional Intelligence and Substance Abuse. The results demonstrated a statistically significant relationship existed between the EI subscale of managing emotions in the self and substance abuse at the -.215 level. This study adds to the existing knowledge of the role of EI as a predictor of risky substance use.

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