Emotional Intelligence and The Use of ICT in Upper Basic Education Students

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to establish the statistical relationship between emotional intelligence and the use of ICT among Upper Basic Education students in the provinces of Guayas and Manabí, Ecuador. Theoretical Framework: The study delves into the theoretical models of emotional intelligence, highlighting the proposals of Salovey and Mayer, Goleman, and Bar-On, which emphasize the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and those of others. Additionally, it analyzes the fundamental role of ICT in contemporary society, underlining its capacity to transform how we communicate, work, and learn. Method: The study was quantitative, with a descriptive and correlational level. The population consisted of 262 students. A purposive sample of 165 students was selected. The variable of emotional intelligence was measured using the BarOn ICE emotional inventory adapted by Ugarriza (2001), and the use of ICT was measured using the MULTICAGE-TIC instrument designed by Méndez-Gago et al. (2018). Results and Discussion: It was found that most students have adequate development scores in the components of emotional intelligence, except for the interpersonal component. Additionally, they make intensive use of the internet, instant messaging, and mobile phones. The Spearman's rho correlation coefficient yielded 0.730 and a p-value of 0.000 at the 0.01 level. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between the variables analyzed. Implications of the Research: The implications of this research are broad and promising. By establishing a connection between emotional intelligence and information and communication technologies (ICT), it opens up a new field of study with great potential. On the one hand, it envisions opportunities to develop technological tools that foster the development of emotional intelligence in people of all ages. Originality/Value: The originality and value of this research lie in its interdisciplinary approach by connecting two seemingly distant fields: psychology, with its study of emotional intelligence, and technology, represented by ICT. By exploring the relationship between these two concepts, this research opens up new avenues for understanding how digital technologies influence our emotions and how we can use them to promote emotional well-being.