The relationship between emotional intelligence and self-actualisation

Abstract

There is a wide variety of psychological wellness constructs and correlation studies may promote a clear and valid understanding of them. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between two wellness constructs, emotional intelligence and self-actualisation. <br>The sample consisted of 71 employees from the South African mining industry. Participants were assessed using the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (BarOn EQ-i) to measure emotional intelligence and the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) to measure self-actualisation. Participants also completed a biographical questionnaire. <br>Pearson 's product moment correlation coefficients between the five composite scales on the BarOn EQ-i and the 12 POI scales led to rejection of the alternative hypothesis. The research hypothesis was partially substantiated by the results, which show a significant statistical relationship between some emotional intelligence factors and some self- actualisation factors. Predominantly positive correlations emerged between adaptability and intrapersonal behaviour, as an integral part of an individual 's emotional intelligence with most areas of self-actualisation. Major limitations of the study relate to the construct validity of the POI and the fact that the small sample size negatively affects the generalisability of the results.