Emotional Intelligence and its Relationship with Self-Esteem in Medical Students from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Background Self-esteem, is the subjective emotional evaluation of one's worth, and emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage emotions, are crucial aspects of an individual's psychological well-being. Objectives To assess the link between emotional intelligence and self-esteem in medical students Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 undergraduate medical students in Eastern India. Data were collected using validated questionnaires, including socio-demographic information, the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, and the Goleman Emotional Intelligence questionnaire. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Results Our study revealed that 75% participants, had low self-esteem. Gender differences were observed, with male students showing slightly higher overall emotional intelligence, but with variations in specific emotional intelligence components. Surprisingly, 1st year students displayed the highest emotional intelligence, while fourth-year students had the highest self-esteem. Paradoxically, students with higher family incomes exhibited greater emotional intelligence but lower self-esteem. Similarly, those with higher monthly expenditures demonstrated higher emotional intelligence but lower self-esteem. Conclusion Our study found that medical students, despite the rigors of their education, often have lower self-esteem and emotional intelligence than the general population. Self-esteem remained consistent across different study years, indicating complex factors at play. Gender differences in these aspects highlight the need for gender-sensitive support. Fostering a balanced self-perception in medical education is vital. Addressing self-esteem and emotional intelligence in medical training is essential. Future research should use larger, diverse samples and longitudinal studies to inform effective interventions for student well-being and patient care.