The relationship between Depersonalization and Self-perceived Interpersonal Intelligence among Ecuatorian Higher Education Teachers

Authors

Keywords:

teacher burnout, depersonalization, cynicism, interpersonal skills, self-concept, sex differences

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between burnout and emotional intelligence has been widely studied. Alterations in dimensions, such as emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment and intrapersonal skills have shown a close relationship with teaching, with notable differences with other dimensions, such as depersonalization and interpersonal skills.

Objective:  Assess the association between the depersonalization indicator and interpersonal skills in Ecuadorian university professors.

Materials and methods: The adapted version for teachers of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Educator Survey was applied. An ad hoc scale developed by researchers was used to determine interpersonal intelligence.

Results: Low levels of depersonalization and high levels of interpersonal intelligence were observed. Most teachers assessed their interpersonal skills to be positive. A negative, but significant relationship was found between depersonalization and interpersonal intelligence, with notable differences between genders. Men showed higher levels of depersonalization compared to women.

Conclusions: This study reveals a significant association between depersonalization and interpersonal intelligence in the academic context.  Findings suggest that, although men experience higher levels of depersonalization, self-perception of interpersonal skills is generally high in both genders. These results highlight the importance of considering personal and gender factors in the well-being and performance of university teachers, challenging the notion that academic experience alone is sufficient for good educational performance.

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Author Biographies

Jose Alejandro Valdevila Figueira, 1 Faculty of Marketing and Communication, Ecotec University, Ecuador. 2 Research network in psychology and psychiatry (GIPSI), Ecuador. 3 Institute of Neurosciences of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Dr. en medicina y especialista de Primer y Segundo Grados por la Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Santiago de Cuba. Profesor de psicopatología y psicología de las adicciones Facultad de Marketing Universidad Ecotec, Ecuador. Varias publicaciones cientificas.

Jessica Vera-Bermudez, Faculty of Life Sciences, ESPOL, Polytechnic University, Guayaquil.

Professor and researcher at the Faculty of Life Sciences, ESPOL, Polytechnic University, Guayaquil

Indira Dayana Carvajal Parra, Research network in psychology and psychiatry (GIPSI), Ecuador. Institute of Neurosciences of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Psychologist, therapist, scientific researcher and lecturer. She currently collaborates as a psychologist at the Institute of Neurosciences.

Rocío Valdevila Santiesteban, Research network in psychology and psychiatry (GIPSI), Ecuador.

Doctor in general medicine and scientific researcher.

Luis Patricio Benenaula Vargas, 1 Faculty of Marketing and Communication, Ecotec University, Ecuador. 2 Research network in psychology and psychiatry (GIPSI), Ecuador.

Psychologist, therapist, scientific researcher and lecturer.

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Published

2024-11-05

How to Cite

1.
Figueira JAV, Ruiz-Barzola O, Vera-Bermudez J, Carvajal Parra ID, Valdevila Santiesteban R, Benenaula Vargas LP. The relationship between Depersonalization and Self-perceived Interpersonal Intelligence among Ecuatorian Higher Education Teachers. Rev. Hosp. Psiq. Habana. [Internet]. 2024 Nov. 5 [cited 2025 Aug. 3];21(3). Available from: https://revhph.sld.cu/index.php/hph/article/view/515

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