AUTHOR=Zhou Jinshan , Qin Sihan , Jia Tingting , Shen Mingxin , Liu Han , Tian Wenlong , Wang Jun 

TITLE=The relationship between the principals’ emotional intelligence and conflict management: based on latent profile analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1548185

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1548185

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=IntroductionThe emotional intelligence (EI) of principals is a critical factor influencing leadership effectiveness and school management. This study aims to explore the heterogeneity of principals’ EI and investigate the differences in conflict management behaviors among principals with varying EI traits.MethodsA total of 363 principals from 27 provinces and autonomous regions in China were recruited for this study. The Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and the Conflict Management Test (M8L4) were used to assess principals’ EI and conflict management behaviors, respectively. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct EI profiles among the participants.ResultsThe LPA revealed three distinct EI profiles among principals: “low EI,” “middle EI,” and “high EI.” Significant differences were observed in conflict management behaviors across these profiles, particularly in problem-solving, forcing, and avoiding behaviors. Principals with higher EI levels demonstrated more effective problem-solving strategies, while those with lower EI levels tended to rely more on forcing or avoiding behaviors.DiscussionThe findings highlight that the differences in EI among Chinese principals are primarily reflected in their levels, which significantly influence their conflict management approaches. These results underscore the importance of emphasizing EI in the selection and training of school principals. Enhancing EI can promote effective conflict resolution and improve overall school management efficiency.