Personality Correlates of Emotional Intelligence Among UAE University Students: Implications for Cross-Cultural Psychology

Abstract

Although much of the literature has examined the relationship between personality and emotional intelligence in Western settings, only a few studies have examined these constructs among Arab populations, where cultural values can play a fundamental role in the psychological landscape. This cross-sectional study examined the Big Five personality traits and emotional intelligence among 200 students at a UAE university across various academic programs. Personality trait levels were moderate to high, with significant differences in Extroversion and Openness across academic majors. Unlike the negative correlations reported in the Western research paradigm, Neuroticism exhibited significant positive associations with overall emotional intelligence and with various dimensions, including Self-Awareness, Motivation, Social Skills and Empathy. Openness to Experience, in contrast, showed a negative relationship with emotional intelligence, which was unexpected. These results are analyzed within the distinct cultural framework of university students in the UAE, where Arab-Islamic collectivist values may influence the interpretation of personality traits in ways that differ from those in Western groups. While the results cannot be generalized beyond this single-institution sample, they establish a theoretically sound foundation for challenging the universal applicability of existing personality-emotional intelligence models. Additionally, they present initial evidence to inform the development of culturally relevant support services for students in higher education settings in the UAE.