Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers
Ker Shin Tee 1, Keh Foo Bee 2 * , Goh Chen Zheng 2, Loh Hooi Shien 2, How Wendy 2, See Ker Xin 2, Tan Zi Ying 2, Xu Aibin 3
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1 Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Malaysia
2 New Era University College, Malaysia
3 Office of Student Affairs, Chengdu Normal University, China
* Corresponding Author
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ARTICLE INFO

Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2026 - Volume 8 Issue 1, Article No: e39008
https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 30 Dec 2025

Views: 6 | Downloads: 4

ABSTRACT
The primary objective of this study is to examine how emotional intelligence affects different coping responses, specifically problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and dysfunctional coping strategies among Malaysian independent Chinese secondary school teachers. A cross-sectional survey approach was employed, involving 995 teachers from Malaysian independent Chinese secondary schools, selected through cluster sampling methods. The research findings indicate a positive correlation between emotional intelligence, problem-focused coping, and emotion-focused coping among Malaysian independent Chinese secondary school teachers. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between emotional intelligence and dysfunctional coping. Gender differences are also significant, with female teachers demonstrating higher levels of emotional intelligence compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, female teachers displayed superior problem-focused coping skills relative to male teachers. From a practical standpoint, the research provides recommendations for improving teachers' emotional intelligence skills to facilitate better psychological adaptation, coping strategies, teaching, and job performance within educational settings. The study also acknowledges the importance of school policies and administration in advancing teachers' emotional intelligence skills. Ultimately, emotional intelligence interventions are acknowledged as a beneficial platform for enhancing emotional intelligence skills among teachers.
KEYWORDS
dysfunctional coping emotional intelligence emotion-focused coping Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers problem-focused coping
In-text citation: (Tee et al., 2026)
Reference: Tee, K. S., Bee, K. F., Zheng, G. C., Shien, L. H., Wendy, H., Xin, S. K., . . . Aibin, X. (2026). Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(1), e39008. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Tee KS, Bee KF, Zheng GC, et al. Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(1), e39008. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Tee KS, Bee KF, Zheng GC, Shien LH, Wendy H, Xin SK, et al. Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(1):e39008. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008
In-text citation: (Tee et al., 2026)
Reference: Tee, Ker Shin, Keh Foo Bee, Goh Chen Zheng, Loh Hooi Shien, How Wendy, See Ker Xin, Tan Zi Ying, and Xu Aibin. "Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology 2026 8 no. 1 (2026): e39008. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008
In-text citation: (Tee et al., 2026)
Reference: Tee, K. S., Bee, K. F., Zheng, G. C., Shien, L. H., Wendy, H., Xin, S. K., . . . Aibin, X. (2026). Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(1), e39008. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008
In-text citation: (Tee et al., 2026)
Reference: Tee, Ker Shin et al. "Adapting to adversity: Insights into emotional intelligence and coping responses among Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School teachers". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, vol. 8, no. 1, 2026, e39008. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202639008
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