Emotional Intelligence and Locus of Control as Predictors of Resilience and Conflict Resolution Skills amongst Paramilitary Personnel
This study investigated emotional intelligence and locus of control as predictors of resilience and conflict resolution skills amongst paramilitary personnel. Thus an expo-facto research design was adopted with two hundred and fifty-five personnel (109 males, 146 female) sampled from four different paramilitary organizations within the Akure metropolis, Ondo state. Their ages ranged from 20-60 years. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested using the Multiple Regression Analysis. Results indicated that only emotional intelligence predicted resilience skills (β = .14, t =2.20, p <.05). However, emotional intelligence and locus of control had no joint prediction on resilience skills amongst paramilitary personnel [F (2,252) = 2.91, p >.05]. Emotional intelligence (β = .19, t = 3.14 p< .01) and locus of control (β = -.22, t = -3.59, p <.01) predicted conflict resolution skills among paramilitary personnel independently and jointly [F (2,252) = 13, p <.01]. Based on the findings derived from this study, ability to show resilience and conflict resolution skills are necessary for personnel to work efficiently and effectively at work. It was also found that locus of control enhances conflict resolution skills amongst the paramilitary sample. We conclude that the hiring process of personnel to the paramilitary organizations should highlight the importance of manifesting resilience and conflict resolution skills to ensure enhanced efficiency and productivity at work.
Keywords: conflict management, resilience, emotional intelligence, locus of control, conflict resolution skills