The Relationship Between Noncognitive (Emotional Intelligence) Variables on Academic GPA Among Sonography or Radiography Students After 1-Year Course Completion

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and grade point average (GPA) in a cohort of sonography (DMS) or radiography (RT) students. Furthermore, this study explored whether an EI model, such as the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), demonstrated a significant association with GPA and could potentially be used as a part of the admission process. The TEIQue questionnaire that collected participants’ EI and demographic data was administered to students in both educational programs. Data were obtained at the beginning of each respective program and 1 year later. Students’ GPA was examined over three college semesters. In total, 26 participants enrolled. This cohort included 10 DMS and 16 RT students enrolled for an associate’s degree in an applied sciences program within a community college. No significant relationship was observed between academic GPA and global EI, as well as three subscales of trait EI. Global trait EI for DMS ( P = .35) and RT students ( P = .05) demonstrated nonsignificant relationships with students’ GPAs, respectively. These results demonstrated that there was no significant relationship between noncognitive variables, such as EI, among DMS or RT students and academic GPA. Further studies should investigate whether these findings were similar to those in other diagnostic imaging programs.