Improving emotional intelligence in higher education students: Testing program effectiveness in tree countries

Abstract

Introduction: This study presents the results obtained from the Advanced Training Program in Emotional Intelligence (ATPEC) on the planning and managing of emotions, and the emotional intelligence experience in Higher Education. Since the beginning of the Bologna process, the objective of a complete education does not only address the teaching of technical abilities, but also of another competences such as team work, effective communication skills, project management, and time and capability to coordinate our emotions. Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been frequently related to the improvement of professional development. In fact, the general competences related to EI have been included in university curricula. Method: The present work aims to design and implement an advanced EI training course for 30 hours. The sample was obtained by 651 higher education students from 3 countries, Spain (n = 193), Moldova (n = 302) and Argentina (n = 156). Results: The results showed a significant improvement in all of the emotional abilities assessed, confirming the efficacy of the intervention program, regardless of the culture/country in which it is developed, and of the undergraduate degrees. Conclusions: the possibility to work in groups to solve study cases, the capability to learn independently or to use an e-learning platform make this program a unique and efficient tool for the improvement of emotional competences. Implications of these results for the application of EI programs in Higher Education are discussed.