The mediating role of self-efficacy between emotional intelligence and academic achievement: a study among postgraduate students

This study examined the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement. A total of 257 postgraduate diploma students from the Bangladesh Institute of Management were conveniently sampled. The Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) advanced by Schutte et al. (1998) was applied for measuring 'emotional intelligence'. In assessing self-efficacy, the study adopted the 'Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES)' formulated by Schwarzer and Jerusalem (1995). The study revealed that all the variables included in the study, i.e., emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and academic achievement were significantly correlated to each other. Moreover, the results of the study showed that the link between emotional intelligence and academic achievement was fully mediated through self-efficacy. Based on the findings of the study, academic institutions are recommended to include emotional intelligence and self-efficacy in their curriculum.