Theoretical developments of emotional intelligence (EI) are jeopardized by the inability of empirical studies to keep pace with its intense surge to the forefront of both lay and academic communities. Due to the paucity of empirical evidence, claims of the contributions of EI are met with speculation in the scientific community. Furthermore, EI is conceptualized and measured in a variety and often, diverging ways. Subsequent to indications from previous literature that EI shows promise to be linked to the field of health and psychological well-being (Austin, Saklofske, & Egan, 2005), the primary aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent criterion validity of a mixed model conceptualization of EI with self-reported exercise attitudes by comparing two subsamples of university students, (Mean Age = 22 years; 72% Female, 28% Male; NonKinesiology n1 = 271, Kinesiology n2 = 127). The finding of a weak overall correlation fails to provide concurrent criterion validity to the BarOn (2002) conceptualization of EI with exercise attitudes as measured by HBQ (Austin, unpublished), r(398) = .13, p = .013. This finding is further substantiated by the lack of significant findings in an ANOVA and a lack of practical significance in a MANOVA. While the criterion group had significantly stronger beliefs of the benefits of exercise, F(1, 394) = 47.54, p < .001, Å2 = .11; no significant difference between the means of the Composite EI was found between the subsamples for the main effect (field of study) or for the interaction effect (field of study ~ sex): F(1, 394) = 0.08, p = .78; F(1, 394) = 1.82, p = .18, respectively. Additionally, the MANOVA findings determined that only 1.6% of the overall variance could be attributed to the model effect of self-reported activity level and exercise attitude with EI. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine the sex differences in the relationship of EI and exercise attitudes. The scales for the female subsample were not significantly correlated, r(287) = .07, p = .25; whereas, a low and significant correlation was found in the male subsample, r(111) = .37, p = .001. The finding is noteworthy and appears to suggest that the contributing factor to the significant, but weak overall correlation, was obtained from the male sector. Although, the study does find the BarOn EQ-i:S instrument to be a good measure with strong internal consistency reliability and large intercorrelations with its components, the findings point to concerns as to what is being measured and the degree to which the measure overlaps with the personality domain.

Theoretical developments of emotional intelligence (EI) are jeopardized by the inability of empirical studies to keep pace with its intense surge to the forefront of both lay and academic communities. Due to the paucity of empirical evidence, claims of the contributions of EI are met with speculation in the scientific community. Furthermore, EI is conceptualized and measured in a variety and often, diverging ways. Subsequent to indications from previous literature that EI shows promise to be linked to the field of health and psychological well-being (Austin, Saklofske, & Egan, 2005), the primary aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent criterion validity of a mixed model conceptualization of EI with self-reported exercise attitudes by comparing two subsamples of university students, (Mean Age = 22 years; 72% Female, 28% Male; NonKinesiology n1 = 271, Kinesiology n2 = 127). The finding of a weak overall correlation fails to provide concurrent criterion validity to the BarOn (2002) conceptualization of EI with exercise attitudes as measured by HBQ (Austin, unpublished), r(398) = .13, p = .013. This finding is further substantiated by the lack of significant findings in an ANOVA and a lack of practical significance in a MANOVA. While the criterion group had significantly stronger beliefs of the benefits of exercise, F(1, 394) = 47.54, p < .001, Å2 = .11; no significant difference between the means of the Composite EI was found between the subsamples for the main effect (field of study) or for the interaction effect (field of study ~ sex): F(1, 394) = 0.08, p = .78; F(1, 394) = 1.82, p = .18, respectively. Additionally, the MANOVA findings determined that only 1.6% of the overall variance could be attributed to the model effect of self-reported activity level and exercise attitude with EI. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine the sex differences in the relationship of EI and exercise attitudes. The scales for the female subsample were not significantly correlated, r(287) = .07, p = .25; whereas, a low and significant correlation was found in the male subsample, r(111) = .37, p = .001. The finding is noteworthy and appears to suggest that the contributing factor to the significant, but weak overall correlation, was obtained from the male sector. Although, the study does find the BarOn EQ-i:S instrument to be a good measure with strong internal consistency reliability and large intercorrelations with its components, the findings point to concerns as to what is being measured and the degree to which the measure overlaps with the personality domain.

Fall prevention is a serious issue in the health and aging fields, and much attention and research is now being focused on examining why older adults fall and ways to prevent them from falling. Although it has been well-documented that older adults benefit from programs designed to decrease falling by promoting exercise participation, balance training, and fall education; little research has focused on specifically examining how older minority women view preventive exercise programs. This qualitative study explores the experiences of older minority women participating in a fall prevention program. The specific aims of the study are to: 1) gain an understanding of older minority women’s experiences and perceptions about falling and fall prevention; 2) establish what factors influence older minority women to participate in fall prevention programs; and 3) explore participants’ perceived outcomes of program participation. Post-test interviews with 21 participants were analyzed using the method of grounded theory to identify common themes and outcomes associated with participation in a fall prevention program. Findings from this study provide an in-depth look into the factors motivating older minority women to participate in exercise and explore their beliefs regarding falling and fall prevention.