Emotional intelligence (EI) is often associated with perceived stress and academic performance in health professions such as nursing and medicine, but not typically dietetics. Students in health profession fields with higher EI have lower perceived stress and better ability to cope with stressors. This study aimed to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence, perceived stress and academic performance of graduate dietetic students completed measures of EI, perceived stress, sociodemographic and program information. EI and perceived stress were collected using the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale and Perceived Stress Scale-10, respectively. Students self-reported demographic and program information. Statistical significance was p<= 0.05. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between EI score and perceived stress. No statistically significant correlation was found between EI ansd academic performance. When evaluating factors of EI, total EI was positively associated with “appraisal of emotions”, “optimism and regulation of emotions”, and “intrapersonal and interpersonal utilization of emotions”. Perceived stress was negatively associated with “optimism and regulation of emotions” and not associated with the other two EI factors. The findings suggest that graduate dietetic students with higher EI scores have lower self-perceived stress and are more optimistic. Development of EI in graduate dietetic students might help reduce perceived stress levels and create better coping of stressors. There is a need for futher research on EI among dietetic students as it relates to college health and professional competence.
