The Impact of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy on the Malleability of Job Performance and Job Involvement of Prison Personnel in Nigeria

Abstract

Human beings generally exhibit their emotions and emotional intelligence and selfefficacy differently. These differ in one person to another and even among the genders. In a study, we investigated the effects of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy on in-role job performance and job  involvement of the Nigerian Prison Service personnel at three locations in one of the State Commands of the Nigerian Prison Service. Participants for the study consisted of 67 males and 37 females with varying educational qualifications, training and working experience. Age ranges of the participants were 26- 55 years with a mean of 38.06 years and standard deviation of 8.34. Four scales of measurement were utilized to measure the variables of the study. These are the Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT), the General Self-efficacy scale, the Job Performance Scale and the Job Involvement Scale. Results revealed significant main effects of work emotional intelligence and self efficacy on in-role job performance F(1, 1002) = 15.860, P < 0.05; and job involvement F(1,102) = 7.129, P < 0.05. The result showed significant gender differences in the exhibition of the two independent variables between males and females. Females generally scored higher on both emotional intelligence and selfefficacy than males. The result further indicated no significant differences between age of the participants and their emotional intelligence and self-efficacy (r= 0.122, df = 103, P < 0.05). It is recommended that emotional intelligence and self-efficacy tests are administered to prospective personnel in all organizations during interview for job selection and placement; training, promotion and transfers in the work place.

Key words: Emotional intelligence, self- efficacy, job performance, job involvement.