The Contribution of Emotional Intelligence to Decisional Styles Among Italian High School Students

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and styles of decision making. Two hundred and six Italian high school students completed two measures of EI, the Bar-On EI Inventory, based on a mixed model of EI, and the Mayer Salovey Caruso EI Test, based on an ability-based model of EI, in addition to the General Decision-Making Style Questionnaire. The findings suggest that both mixed model and ability-based models are related to decision-making style, but that ability-based EI does not predict decision-making style beyond the effects of the mixed model. This study reveals how varied dimensions of EI, especially self-assessment of one’s emotional skills and personal qualities, are related to decision-making style. The assessment of EI may be useful in understanding career decision-making difficulties and in identifying strategies for promoting adaptive career decision making.