Quantitative Original Article
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Pensar Enfermagem / v.30 n.01 / Jan-Dec 2026 / DOI: 10.71861/pensarenf.v30i1.446
establish more empathetic and effective relationships with patients.8In addition, the ability to recognise and
manage emotions contributes significantly to professional performance and well-being in the workplace.(11)
Recent studies indicate that higher education students in healthcare courses have high perceptions of EI,
highlighting the relevance of this skill in the training context and preparing them for the emotional challenges
inherent in clinical practice.(12) Recent studies corroborate these results. A study published in 202412evaluated
nursing students and found high mean scores for EI (143.1 ± 21.6), with 91.3% classified as having "high"
levels of EI, also identifying that academic year and age were significant predictors of EI development.13In
addition, another study found a significant increase in EI between the first and third year of training, suggesting
that EI is a skill that can be developed throughout the academic career.(15)Another study showed that higher
levels of EI are associated with better academic performance, greater empathy, communication skills and stress
management, reinforcing the importance of its development during academic training.4Other research has
shown that specific components of EI, such as the perception of others' emotions and the adaptive use of one's
own emotions, contribute to greater life satisfaction and less burnout, suggesting that EI is a fundamental
competence for student well-being.6
The concept of EI is associated with the ability to perceive, evaluate and manage emotions, both one's own
and those of others, facilitating decision-making and problem-solving.1-3,5In the context of higher education,
especially in health science courses, EI is crucial, since students are exposed to situations of high emotional
stress and need skills to deal with interpersonal and professional challenges in a balanced and effective way.(3-5)
It was found that higher education students attending health courses had high levels of EI. This result
corroborates previous studies which indicate that courses with clinical practice promote greater development
of EI and that this competence can evolve throughout the academic career.4,6
With regard to the relationship between sociodemographic variables and the level of EI, it was found that age
was a determining factor, with older students having higher scores in the Perception of Own Emotions and
Sociocognitive Component of Emotions factors. This trend is in line with the existing literature, which suggests
that life experience contributes to a better development of EI.5Some results reinforce this association, indicating
that older students tend to have higher scores in specific emotional dimensions.(6,13)
Sex also showed an influence on EI, with female students presenting higher scores in the four factors
Perception of Own Emotions, Sociocognitive Component of Emotions, Perception of Others' Emotions and
Difficulty in Understanding Emotions. These results are in line with previous research which identified
significant differences in EI between the sexes, with female students showing higher values in dimensions such
as perception of own emotions, perception of others' emotions and sociocognitive skills.5These results are in
line with previous research which identified significant differences in EI between the sexes, although another
study carried out in Portugal found that these differences may depend on the context and the instrument
used.(6,13)
With regard to marital status, students who were married or in a de facto union showed higher levels of EI
compared to single students, especially in the Perception of Own Emotions factor. Said result reinforces the
idea that relational experiences can contribute to greater emotional development, highlighting the importance
of interpersonal interactions and social support for the maturation of emotional competences.3
The nationality of the participants and the course attended did not show statistically significant relationships
with EI, suggesting that individual and contextual factors have a more relevant impact on the development of
EI than nationality or the specific area of study.8
These results reinforce the importance of developing EI as a fundamental competence for future health
professionals. Considering that EI has an impact on the quality of interaction with patients and the well-being
of professionals, it is essential that curricula incorporate strategies to strengthen these competences.4Some
authors emphasise that educational interventions and gradual clinical experiences can significantly increase EI
levels throughout the academic course, highlighting the possibility of targeted pedagogical planning. (4,6,14)
The results of this study highlight the relevance of EI in undergraduate health education, showing that students
have high levels of EI, particularly in perceiving their own emotions, understanding the emotions of others and
regulating emotions to facilitate decision-making. The need to supplement the development of EI in the
academic curriculum was highlighted, given its impact on the quality of interaction with patients, stress
management in clinical contexts and the humanisation of the care provided. Considering that healthcare
professions require empathy and resilience, it is essential to invest in pedagogical strategies that promote EI,
preparing future professionals for the challenges of the profession.
Conclusion
The present study strengthens the importance of EI in the training of healthcare students, highlighting its
relevance to professional practice. The results showed a high level of EI, showing that the participants possess
essential skills such as identifying and expressing their own emotions, understanding the emotions of others