A Study of Emotional Intelligence Local Government Administrators in Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province
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Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a vital competency that enables local government administrators to recognize and regulate their own emotions, understand others, and build constructive relationships that enhance organizational effectiveness. This study aimed to (1) examine the overall level of emotional intelligence among local government administrators in Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province, and (2) compare emotional intelligence across personal factors, including gender, age, education level, and work experience. A quantitative research design employing stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation across job positions and experience levels. The sample consisted of 228 administrators drawn from a population of 350 local government administrators, based on data from the Office of the Local Development Committee (2025). Data were collected using a validated five-point Likert scale questionnaire covering five dimensions of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The instrument demonstrated acceptable content validity (IOC = 0.67–1.00) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.70). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The results revealed that local government administrators exhibited a high overall level of emotional intelligence, with motivation scoring the highest and self-regulation the lowest. Administrators aged over 40 years and those with more than 10 years of work experience demonstrated significantly higher emotional intelligence. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found based on gender or education level. These findings support existing emotional intelligence theories suggesting that age and work experience contribute to emotional development. The study highlights the importance of targeted development programs, particularly in enhancing self-regulation skills, to strengthen the effectiveness of local administrative organizations in a rapidly changing governance context.
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