Emotional intelligence and life orientation in higher education students from the Peruvian Amazon

Paricahua-Peralta J.N.; Estrada-Araoz E.G.; Benitesfernández G.J.; Alpaca-Ruiz J.A.; Ortiz-Anchante J.O.; Inumacampana D.; Cruz-Laricano E.O. · Gaceta Medica de Caracas (2025) · DOI: 10.47307/gmc.2025.133.2.8

Resumen

Introduction: In recent years, emotional intelligence has been widely studied in the educational context due to its influence on students’ well-being and academic performance. However, there is limited information regarding its relationship with life orientation, specifically in the context of higher education. Objective: To determine if there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and life orientation in higher education students from the Peruvian Amazon. Methods: Quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 297 students selected through probabilistic sampling. These students were administered the Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale (REIS) and the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), instruments with adequate metric properties. Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between emotional intelligence and life orientation was 0.120 (p< 0.05). Furthermore, a direct and significant correlation was observed between emotional intelligence and the optimism dimension, with a value of r= 0.119 (p<0.05). On the other hand, an inverse and significant correlation was found with the pessimism dimension, with a value of r=-0.134 (p<0.05). Conclusions: A significant relationship exists between emotional intelligence and life orientation in higher education students from the Peruvian Amazon. This indicates that a higher level of emotional intelligence is associated with a more positive attitude toward life, characterized by greater optimism and a lower tendency toward pessimism.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios; Universidad Andina del Cusco