Assessing Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Suicidal Ideation among Medical and Non-Medical Students

Sangita Nath and Rita Rani Talukdar
Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam

Pages: 502-509

Suicidal ideation (SI) among students is a serious public health issue, worsened by
academic and social pressures. Emotional intelligence (EI), the ability to recognize
and manage emotions, may act as a protective factor against suicidal thoughts. This
study aimed to assess EI as a predictor of suicidal ideation among medical and nonmedical students. Using a correlational research design, 100 medical and 100 nonmedical students aged 19-26 from universities and a medical college in Guwahati,
Assam was surveyed. The tools used were the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale
(BEIS-10) and Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (BSS). The independent variables included
Emotional intelligence, type of students and gender, while suicidal ideation was the
dependent variable. Results were analyzed by SPSS software which showed no
significant difference in EI and suicidal ideation between medical and non-medical
students. Gender did not significantly affect EI and suicidal ideation. A significant inverse
relationship between EI and suicidal ideation was found, suggesting that higher EI
correlates with lower suicidal ideation. The study recommends EI-based interventions
to address mental health issues and reduce suicidal tendencies. Future research should
examine the long-term impact of EI enhancement programs