Student Emotional Intelligence and VITA Participation

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Abstract

This study examines the relationship between participation in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Emotional Intelligence. It is motivated by two issues. First, a lack of data-driven studies examining the benefits of VITA participation for students. Second, the accounting profession’s emphasis on non-technical skills needed by accounting graduates. Data was obtained from 418 students from across the United States. Major findings suggest that participation in the VITA program is associated with higher Emotional Intelligence, higher Emotionality, and higher Self-control. These findings hold after controlling for experiences that might serve as substitutes for VITA participation, such as internship experience. This relationship serves as a signal to potential employers that students who participate in the VITA program are likely to have higher Emotional Intelligence, Emotionality and Self-control than those students who do not participate in VITA.

Authors

• Cynthia Blanthorne, University of Rhode Island

• Stu "Wes Westin, The University of Rhode Island

• Rachel Birkey, Illinois State University