INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF NIGERIAN SOLDIERS DEPLOYED IN KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The psychological well-being of military personnel is crucial for their operational effectiveness, mission readiness, and overall quality of life, particularly in challenging environments like Kaduna State, Nigeria. Using cross-sectional design this study investigates the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on the psychological well-being of Nigerian soldiers deployed in Kaduna State, where unique stressors and demands exist. Drawing on a mixed-method design, data were collected from 200 soldiers using snowballing technique.  Results indicate a significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence (F (1,198) =113.65; p<0.001) with R=0.604, R2=0.365 and psychological well-being among soldiers. Furthermore, demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, religion, and deployment did not predict psychological well-being, emphasizing the central role of emotional intelligence in soldiers' mental health. Findings underscore the importance of promoting emotional intelligence training and support programs within military organizations to enhance soldiers' resilience and well-being. Recommendations for military leadership and future research directions are discussed to optimize soldiers' mental health in challenging operational environments.   Keywords: Emotional intelligence, Psychological well-being, Military personnel, Resilience