Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Sports Performance among University Volleyball Players: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Abstract
Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is increasingly recognized as a critical psychological determinant of athletic performance. In team sports such as volleyball, where seamless communication, emotional regulation, and rapid decision-making are indispensable, EI warrants systematic empirical attention particularly in under-researched South Asian university contexts.
Objective: This study examined levels of perceived EI and their relationship to self-reported sports performance among university-level volleyball players in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 150 university volleyball players (64 males, 86 females; M age = 21.8 years) drawn from seven public and private sector universities. The Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) was administered, encompassing dimensions of emotional self-awareness, regulation, empathy, optimism, and social interaction. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests were employed to evaluate response-pattern significance across all items.
Results: Statistically significant response distributions were observed across all 19 EI items (χ² range: 14.53–116.77; all p < .001). Responses were predominantly concentrated in the "Sometimes," "Often," and "Always" categories, indicating moderate-to-high EI. Emotional self-awareness (χ² = 96.96), social expression (χ² = 116.77), and emotional depth (χ² = 68.88) yielded the largest effect magnitudes. Positive-mood-facilitated cognition and creative ideation were among the strongest areas of perceived EI.
Conclusion: University volleyball players in Lahore demonstrate moderate-to-high perceived EI, with particular strengths in emotional awareness, optimism, and interpersonal sensitivity. Inconsistent application of EI skills across situations underscores the need for structured psychological skills training within university athletic programs.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Sports Performance, Volleyball, University Athletes, Psychological Skills, Pakistan
