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P-ISSN: 2394-1685 | E-ISSN: 2394-1693 | CODEN: IJPEJB
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2025, Vol. 12, Issue 1, Part F
Gender differences in emotional intelligence among athletes and non-athletes
Author(s): Shweta Beniwal and Dinesh Singh Yadav
Abstract:
Emotional Intelligence (EI) has emerged as a critical determinant of personal, academic, and athletic success. It encompasses the ability to perceive, assess, and manage emotions in oneself and in interpersonal relationships. This study investigates the gender-based differences in emotional intelligence among Indian undergraduate athletes and non-athletes, aiming to understand how gender and sports participation interact to influence EI levels. Drawing upon a structured quantitative design, the study involved a sample of 200 participants (50 male athletes, 50 female athletes, 50 male non-athletes, and 50 female non-athletes) from universities in Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh. The Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) was employed as the standardized tool for measuring EI across four key domains: emotional perception, emotional management (self and others), and emotional utilization.
Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and two-way ANOVA to determine the statistical significance of differences across gender and athletic participation. The findings reveal that athletes, irrespective of gender, possess significantly higher emotional intelligence compared to non-athletes. Moreover, females outperformed males across both athletic and non-athletic categories, with female athletes showing the highest mean EI scores among all groups. However, the interaction effect between gender and athletic participation was statistically non-significant, suggesting that while both factors independently influence EI, their interaction may not be synergistic.
The study underscores the need for embedding emotional development modules in both academic and athletic training environments. It further highlights how gender socialization in India contributes to emotional skill acquisition. The results carry implications for educators, coaches, and policy makers aiming to foster emotional competence in youth. In addition, the study addresses a research gap in Indian academia by exploring emotional intelligence from an intersectional perspective involving gender and sports.
DOI: 10.22271/kheljournal.2025.v12.i1f.3764
Pages: 431-438 | 52 Views 29 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
Shweta Beniwal, Dinesh Singh Yadav. Gender differences in emotional intelligence among athletes and non-athletes. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health 2025;12(1):431-438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2025.v12.i1f.3764
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