Emotional Intelligence and Abidance to COVID-19 Preventive Measures by Librarians in Nigeria

Abstract

The COVID-19 has generated negative emotional responses that could inhibit individual’s intention to abide by stipulated preventive measures. Thus, investigation into factors that predicts individual’s abidance to these preventive measures is crucial in halting the spread of the pandemic. Consequently, this study applied the cornerstone model to examine Emotional Intelligence (EI) as predictor of abidance to COVID-19 preventive measures by librarians in Nigeria. Survey research design of the correlation type was employed to investigate librarians in Nigeria. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection and was considered fit for the study by an overall Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of α = 0.86. The responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that the level of abidance to COVID-19 preventive measures and EI were high by $\overline{\mathrm{X}}$ = 31.46 and $\overline{\mathrm{X}}$ = 67.47 respectively. The four cornerstone dimensions of EI, all had significant positive relationships to the abidance of COVID-19 preventive measures. The EI dimensions also had linear prediction of abidance to COVID-19 preventive measures by 17.3%. The high proportion by which the COVID-19 pandemic spreads can be halted by strict abidance to its preventive measures. Such abidance is stimulated by the emotional intelligence of the librarians.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• emotional intelligence
• librarians
• Nigeria
• preventive measures
• public health