The Relationship between Social Capital and Cultural Intelligence with Medical Students’ Academic Performance

Introduction: Social capital and cultural intelligence in university settings, wherein there is a wide ethnic and religious diversity, stimulates students’ amenability in university and affect their academic performance. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between social capital and cultural intelligence with students’ academic performance. Methods: This descriptive correlation study was carried out on medical students of Islamic Azad Universities and State universities of Bonab and Maragheh in 2013 (n=322). Samples were selected through cluster sampling in several phases. Data was collected using Farsi versions of Katarzyna Pazhak’s social capital questionnaire as well as Ang et al’s cultural intelligence scale. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: Positive and direct correlation was observed between students’ academic performance and social capital (R=0.314, P=0.001), metacognitive subscale of cultural intelligence (r=0.214, P=0.001), cognitive subscale of cultural intelligence (R=0.327, P=0.001), motivational subscale of cultural intelligence (r=0.319, P=0.001), and behavioral subscale of cultural intelligence (r=0.290, P=0.001). The results of multivariate correlation coefficient through Enter showed that the variable of social capital and subscales of cultural intelligence may partially (43.3%) explain students’ academic performance. Conclusion: According to the direct correlation of academic performance with social capital and subscales of cultural intelligence, it seems that social capital and cultural intelligence causes an increase in students’ academic performance.