Emotional Intelligence and Personality Traits in Relation to Psychological Health among Pharmacy Students in Malaysia

Emotional Intelligence describes one's ability to manage behavior. This research explored the relationships of emotional intelligence and personality traits with the psychological health of pharmacy students in Malaysia during the stressful academic environment. Personality traits and emotional intelligent were measured by USMaP-i and USMEQ-I while stress, anxiety and depression with DASS-21. At the less stressful period, stress, anxiety and depression levels were associated with emotional control, emotional conscientiousness, and extraversion. However at the most stressful period the levels were associated with neuroticism. Conclusion: Neuroticism affects psychological health during a stressful period while many other factors contributed during a less stressful period.