The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Predicting Academic Engagement and Performance in Indian management students: A Structural Equation Model Approach

Abstract

This paper explores the direct and indirect impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on academic performance, academic engagement, and academic success among management students. Employing a Structural Equation Model (SEM), the study examines three dimensions of emotional intelligence—general emotional intelligence (EI), emotional regulation and understanding (EI2), and emotional expression and social awareness (EI3)—and their influence on outcome variables like diligence, self-motivation, and academic engagement, specifically dedication and absorption. Covariances between EI dimensions were analyzed to highlight their interrelatedness while preserving their distinctiveness. The SEM analysis indicates a strong positive association between EI and academic performance, emphasizing the pivotal role of emotional skills in improving student outcomes. The findings provide actionable insights for educational institutions to integrate emotional intelligence development into curricula to enhance student success. Key fit indices (CFI, TLI, RMSEA) affirm the model’s robustness.