Gender differences in the relationship between medical students' emotional intelligence and stress coping: a cross-sectional study

Background Given the increasing stress levels among medical students due to the impact of COVID-19, it is crucial to effectively reduce their stress levels for their future development. To better understand medical students' stress coping, this study investigated how their emotional intelligence is related to stress coping and whether this relationship is moderated by gender differences. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A random sample of 744 medical students from Hebei Province, China, was investigated via an emotional intelligence scale and stress coping questionnaire from March-May 2023. The response rate was 93%. SPSS and Mplus statistical software were used for the data analysis. Results The self-emotional appraisal of medical students had a significant negative effect on avoidant coping (beta = -0.173, CI 95% = [-0.243, -0.099], p < .001). However, the other dimensions of emotional intelligence (others' emotional appraisal, use of emotion, and regulation of emotion) had a significant positive impact on the active coping of female medical students (beta = 0.146, CI 95% = [0.082,0.214], p < .001; beta = 0.235, CI 95% = [0.167,0.304], p < .001; beta = 0.165, CI 95% = [0.084,0.247], p < .001). In contrast to those of female medical students, other dimensions of emotional intelligence had a significant positive impact on the avoidant coping of male medical students (beta = -0.161, CI 95% = [-0.284, -0.062]; p < 0.01; beta = 0.126, CI 95% = [0.043,0.246], p < 0.001; beta = 0.159, CI 95% = [0.054,0.277], p < 0.05; beta = -0.221, CI 95% = [-0.363, -0.129], p < 0.001). Moreover, the use of emotion had a significant positive impact on the active coping of male medical students (beta = 0.272, CI 95% = [0.182,0.382], p < .001). Furthermore, gender differences had a moderating effect on the relationship between emotional intelligence dimensions and stress coping (beta = 0.178; CI 95% = [0.068,0.292]; p < 0.05). Others' emotional appraisal has a greater impact on female students' active coping. In addition, with increasing regulation of emotion ability, female medical students reduce avoidant coping (beta = 0.169, CI 95% = [0.002,0.326]; p < 0.05). Conclusions The current study revealed that gender is a significant moderator of the relationship between medical students' emotional intelligence and stress coping. These findings may help medical colleges focus on gender differences when improving medical students' ability to cope with stress.