THE INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS: PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES

Abstract

The article analyzes the influence of emotional intelligence on the academic success of higher education students. Modern approaches to the conceptualization of emotional intelligence are examined, defining it as an integrative ability that combines emotional and cognitive processes. The authors present an analysis of scientific studies emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation, empathy, and stress resilience for achieving academic success. In the article, emotional intelligence is interpreted as a capacity that integrates emotional and cognitiveprocesses to promote effective social interaction and adaptation to life challenges. The structure of emotional intelligence includes five key components: emotional awareness, emotion regulation, empathy, adaptability, andintrinsic motivation.The study involved 120 students from the Faculty of Vocational and Pedagogical Education at Donbas State Pedagogical University. The first stage involved an analysis of the students’ academic success, classified into three levels: “excellent”, “good”, and “satisfactory”. In the second stage, the authors used an adapted Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (EQ-i) to assess five components: interpersonal skills, stress resilience, adaptability,general mood, and intrinsic motivation.The results showed that students with higher emotional intelligence scores demonstrated better academic performance. It was found that interpersonal skills and the ability to regulate emotions contribute to creating a supportive social environment, improving motivation and productivity in learning. Meanwhile, students with lower emotional intelligence levels were more likely to experience stress, emotional burnout, and decreased motivation.The study highlights the necessity of integrating educational and psychological programs aimed at developing emotional intelligence as a crucial resource for enhancing academic success and emotional well-being. Theauthors conclude that the development of emotional intelligence supports effective adaptation, stress resilience,and improved social interactions within the educational environment.