MINDFULNESS, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, GENDER, AREA OF STUDY AND REPORTING EXERCISE ON COSTA RICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Ginette Sánchez Gutiérrez, Gerardo Araya-Vargas

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence, gender, study area and exercise practice in Costa Rican students. Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, 236 students of sport courses at the University of Costa Rica completed the Mindfulness Scale (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale) and Emotional Intelligence Test (Trait Meta-Mood Scale 24). Results: Men who practice exercise have greater mindfulness and emotional intelligence than those who don’t. Conversely, women who do not exercise have better mindfulness than those who do exercise. Women showed greater attention to the feelings than men. Regarding the variable repair moods, men engaged in exercise´s scores were higher than those not involved, while women had similar scores in both conditions (exercise, no exercise). In general, it was found significantly higher repair moods score in students who do exercising. It is suggested to do experimental studies investigating the effect of exercise on these aspects of emotional intelligence and mindfulness considering gender.