The Effect of Teaching Emotional Intelligence Components on Exam Anxiety of Medical Sciences and Non-Medical Sciences Students of Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the most effective factors in reducing exam anxiety and can be learned through education and can increase success. This study generally aimed to determine the effect of teaching emotional intelligence components on exam anxiety of medical sciences and non-medical sciences students of Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences in 2017-18 academic year. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the quasi-experimental research method of pre-test-post-test type was used that 179 people were selected by quota method from medical sciences and non-medical sciences students of Islamic Azad University of Tehran, Iran, and were divided into experimental and control groups. Sarason Test Anxiety Questionnaire (TAQ) was used to collect the required data. After completing 8 training sessions on emotional intelligence components, a post-test were taken from two groups. The data obtained from the study were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods and appropriate inferential tests. Results: The results showed that the mean reduction of test anxiety in the experimental group in medical sciences and non-medical sciences students was significantly different from the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, teaching emotional intelligence components in groups can be used for students, especially students with high test anxiety. Also, software and educational books in this regard should be prepared and made available to students.