EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ADJUSTMENT TO COMMUNITY LIVING AMONG CONSECRATED WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN CHEM CHEMI YA UZIMA INSTITUTE - KAREN, NAIROBI COUNTY- KENYA

Abstract

The study sought to examine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and adjustment to community living among Consecrated Women Religious in Chem Chemi ya Uzima Institute, Karen, Nairobi County, Kenya. This study was guided by four objectives, namely: To identify the levels of Emotional Intelligence among Consecrated Women in Chem Chemi ya Uzima Institute, to assess the adjustment levels to community living among these Consecrated Women, to determine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence dimensions and adjustment to community living among them and to explore the possible strategies so as to enhance their adjustment to community living in Chem Chemi ya Uzima Institute. The study employed sequential explanatory mixed research design. The study population comprised of the entire population of 138 participants of different programs in Chem Chemi ya Uzima Institute as per 2020 enrollment via Census. This study was informed by cognitive behavior theory by Aaron Beck (1960), complemented by Emotional Intelligence theory by Daniel Goleman (1995). Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires, while the qualitative data was collected using an in-depth interview guide in order to capture rich personal experiences. A Modified Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (MEIQ) based on Daniel Goleman’s Emotional intelligence, as modified by Suzanne Farmer et al., (c.2013) was used to measure the level of EI. Adjustment level was measured through 3 modified subscales; Emotional Maturity, Satisfaction with life, and Self-Efficacy Scales. The Statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS. Version, 25) was used for data input for analysis. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation and Hierarchical regression analysis were used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings reveal the overall Emotional Intelligence to have had a strong significant positive correlation with the overall adjustment to community living among Consecrated Women Religious. The finding implies that, an increase in Emotional Intelligence would lead to a corresponding increase in adjustment to community living. Emotional Maturity was found to be a significant function of self-Awareness and Self-Management while life satisfaction was also found to have a significant relationship with social-awareness. Linear regression findings indicate significant weak positive relationship between Adjustment to community living with Social Awareness. This reveals that Consecrated Women Religious need to improve their relational domain to enjoy smooth Adjustment to Community Living