Examination of physical education teachers' emotional intelligence and empathic tendency levels

The aim of this research is to examine the emotional intelligence and empathic tendencies of physical education teachers. In addition, the research aims to reveal whether emotional intelligence and empathic tendency differ according to different demographic characteristics. In the study, which was conducted using the descriptive survey method, the population consisted of physical education teachers working in Balıkesir. A total of 226 physical education teachers, 142 men and 84 women, participated in the research. In the study, data were collected using socio-demographic characteristics, Revised Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale and Empathic Tendency Scale. The obtained data were transferred to the SPSS 26.0 package program. The data were analyzed and T Test in Independent Groups, One-Way Analysis of Variance and Correlation Analysis were applied as statistical methods in the analysis of the data. As a result of the analysis, there is a significant difference between the demographic data gender variable and empathic tendency. There was no significant difference between the variables of educational status, age, marital status, professional seniority and sports branch, and empathic tendency. While there was a significant difference between gender and educational status variables and emotional intelligence, no statistically significant difference was found with age, marital status, professional seniority and sports branch variables. According to the results of the correlation analysis, there is a positive, strong, and significant relationship between empathic disposition and emotional attachment. According to the results of the study, the empathic tendencies and emotional intelligence of women are higher than men, the emotional intelligence of postgraduate physical education teachers is higher than that of undergraduate physical education teachers, while the level of empathic tendency increases, the level of emotional intelligence also increases. Keywords: Physical Education, emotional intelligence, empathetic tendency