Inteligencia emocional, personalidad y actividad física en mayores institucionalizados

Abstract

Background: There is strong evidence suggesting an association between personality traits and physical activity, yet whether the association is positive or negative varies among studies. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between emotional intelligence and physical activity after controlling for the potential influence of personality traits in institutionalized older people Methods: The study comprised 115 (55 women) older people aged 88,3±7,9 from Jaén (Southern Spain). We used the following questionnaires to assess personality traits and emotional intelligence: Big Five Inventory, Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence. Physical activity was self-reported. We conducted hierarchic regression analysis. Results: Both conscientiousness and openness to experience were negatively associated with physical activity. When we further included emotional intelligence into the model, both conscientiousness and openness to experience remained significant, and appraisal and recognition of emotion in others as well as regulation of emotion in the self became significantly and positively associated with physical activity. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the association between emotional intelligence and physical activity in institutionalized older people is independent of dispositional aspects such as personality. Intervention studies are needed to better understand the impact of improving emotional competences on physical activity levels.