The Relationship between Trait Emotional Intelligence and Risky Behaviours among Students in United States International University- Africa

One of the most significant issues in universities is for individuals to take responsibility for their own actions by using a unique approach which best suits them based on their abilities emotionality, sociability, self-control and well-being. When individuals do so, they are able to recognize their level of trait emotional intelligence in relation to their actions i.e. substance use, sexual behaviours and aggressive behaviours. The purpose of the study was to to determine the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (EI) and risky behaviors among students in United States International University-Africa. The study was guided by the following research objectives; to assess the level of trait emotional intelligence among students in private universities in USIU-A; to determine the influence of trait EI on substance use among students in USIU-A; to examine the influence of trait EI on early sexual behavior among students in USIU-A and to establish the influence of trait EI on aggressive behavior among students in USIU-A. This study adopted a correlational research design. The collection of individuals was selected from USIU-A. The target population was 2,339 students pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Simple stratified random sampling was used in this study to obtain information from undergraduate students in USIU-A that are in their freshman, sophomore and junior years. A sample size of 390 respondents was used in this study. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire to measure trait Emotional Intelligence and risky behaviours. Descriptive analysis was used to determine the proportions and frequency of the variables. Correlation tests were used to draw inferences about the population from the sample and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to facilitate the data analysis. The study revealed that USIU-A undergraduate students understand trait EI and how it affects their relations and behaviors.