By: IRSHAD KHAN, SALONI PANDA
Competition is an integral part of student life, often placing heavy pressure on students to excel, which can lead to academic anxiety. Cognitive intelligence alone does not guarantee academic success; emotional intelligence plays a key role in stress management. This research examines emotional intelligence as a buffer against academic anxiety among rural and urban adolescents. A sample of 160 students (80 urban, 80 rural; balanced gender distribution) from IX and X grades in Surguja district was chosen through random sampling. The Academic Anxiety Scale and the Emotional Quotient Scale were employed for assessments. Results showed no significant difference in academic anxiety between boys and girls in both rural and urban areas. However, girls in both environments demonstrated higher emotional intelligence than boys. Moreover, rural boys displayed greater emotional intelligence than their urban counterparts, with girls showing no notable differences. The correlation between academic anxiety and emotional intelligence was very low and negative, suggesting a negligible interaction. The study underscores the significance of emotional intelligence in reducing academic anxiety among adolescents.
