Predictive model of emotional intelligence and traits of impulsivity in sensation seeking in young university students: a gender comparison

Abstract

Youth is a stage marked by the onset of risk behaviors, behaviors that previous studies associated with high levels of impulsivity, sensation seeking (SS) and inadequate levels in emotional intelligence (EI). These factors are related and need an explanatory model, as well as a gender comparison to design more personalized preventive programs. Therefore, the objectives are: a) to establish gender differences in EI, SS, and impulsivity, b) to check how these factors are related, and c) to clarify the predictive value of EI and the traits of impulsivity in SS both for the total sample and for men and women. Participants were 422 young university students, 82.9% women, with an average age of 20.48 years (SD = 1.93). The TMMS-24 questionnaire was used to measure IE, the scale SSS-V and for impulsivity the BIS-11 questionnaire. The results showed statistically significant differences (p .05) between men and women in search for emotions and adventures, disinhibition, cognitive impulsivity and unplanned, being higher for men. In addition, there were statistically significant correlations between the dimensions EI, SS and impulsivity (p .05). Finally, impulsivity and emotional intelligence predict, 21.4%, levels of search for sensations in women. However, only unplanned impulsivity predicts 19% of the variance explained in SS in men. We conclude the existence of gender differences both in the dimensions and in the predictive model of EI and traits of impulsivity in SS, so it must be taken into account in the face of future interventions.

Keywords

• inteligencia emocional
• búsqueda de sensaciones
• impulsividad
• género
• estudiantes