EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND SELF-EFFICACY AS PREDICTORS OF LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG POLICE OFFICERS
1Okonkwo Ejike A., 2Chinweze Uzochukwu C and 3Okafor Chiedozie O.
1&2Department of Psychology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu.
3Department of Psychology, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State
E-mail: aejyke@yahoo.com
Abstract: This study investigated emotional intelligence and self-efficacy as predictors of life satisfaction among Police Officers in Enugu Urban. Four hundred and twenty-six (426) participants comprising 357 males and 69 females between the ages of 18 to 60 years (M =40.85, SD = 11.79) were sampled using Multi-stage sampling. Wong and Law (2002) 14–item Emotional Intelligence Scale, Chen, Gully and Eden (2001) 8 – item New General Self Efficacy (NGSE) Scale and Diener, Emmons, Larsen and Griffin (1985) 9 – item Life Satisfaction Scale were administered for data collection. Cross-sectional survey design was used and multiple regression statistical tests was used for data analysis. The results revealed that emotional intelligence and self-efficacy jointly and independently predicted life satisfaction at p<.05. The findings were discussed in line with previous related studies. It was concluded that in order to enhance life satisfaction among police officers, candidates should be assessed and those high on emotional intelligence and self-efficacy considered at the point of recruitment and selection.