A comprehensive meta-analysis of the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and health

A trait emotional intelligence perspective on schema modes

Schema modes (or modes) are a key concept in the theory underlying schema therapy. Modes have rarely been related to established models of personality traits. The present study thus investigates the associations between trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and 14 modes, and tests a global TEI-mode factors-general psychological distress mediation model. The study draws on self-report data from 173 inpatients from a German clinic for psychosomatic medicine. Global TEI correlated positively with both healthy modes (happy child and healthy adult) and negatively with 10 maladaptive modes. When modes were regressed on the four TEI factors, six (emotionality), five (well-being), four (sociability), and four (self-control) significant partial effects on 10 modes emerged. In the parallel mediation model, the mode factors internalization and compulsivity fully mediated the global TEI-general psychological distress link. Implications of the results for the integration of modes with traits in general and with TEI in particular as well as implications of low TEI as a transdiagnostic feature of personality malfunctioning are discussed.

Job Demands-Resources theory and self-regulation: new explanations and remedies for job burnout

Background: High job demands and low job resources may cause job strain and eventually result in burnout. However, previous research has generally ignored the roles of time and self-regulation. Objectives: This theoretical article synthesizes the literature to propose a multilevel model that delineates how acute job strain translates into enduring and severe job burnout. Methods: We integrate self-regulation perspectives in job demands-resources (JD-R) theory to propose that short-term job strain and eventually enduring burnout is the result of consistently high job demands and low job resources - combined with failed self-regulation. Results: The model shows that when employees are confronted with increased job strain, they are more likely to use maladaptive self-regulation strategies, such as coping inflexibility and self-undermining. In addition, when job strain increases, employees are less likely to use adaptive self-regulation strategies, such as job stress recovery and job crafting. It follows that when the job becomes more stressful, stable resources become more important. Organizational resources such as human resource practices and healthy leadership may help employees to regulate their short-term fatigue and avoid enduring burnout. Furthermore, key personal resources like emotional intelligence and proactive personality may help employees to recognize and regulate their fatigue in an effective way. Conclusion: The proposed model of burnout expands JD-R theory and offers important practical implications for the prevention and reduction of burnout.

Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health in the Family: The Influence of Emotional Intelligence Perceived by Parents and Children

INTRODUCTION

The relevant scientific literature has confirmed the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and mental health. In addition, previous studies have underlined the importance of perceived EI between family members in the construction of one's own EI. Adolescence is considered to be a crucial stage in identity construction and a time when mental health is vulnerable.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the mediating role of self-reported EI on mental health of adolescents and young adults still living in the family home, we considered the relationship between perceived EI in parents and children.

METHOD

The sample was comprised of 170 children and their respective fathers and mothers living in the same family home. Self-reported EI was evaluated using the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24), whereas perceived EI was evaluated via the Perceived Emotional Intelligence Scale-24 (PTMM-24) and mental health using the MH-5.

RESULTS

Parents' perceived EI of their children also children's perceived EI of their parents has a direct effect on children's mental health and an indirect effect through the EI self-reported by children. We discuss the differences in the role of mothers and fathers in emotional education and its influence on the results.

CONCLUSIONS

We highlight the importance of perceived EI among family members, over and above the self-reported EI of each member, for its predictive power on the mental health of children.

Boosting return to work after breast cancer: The mediator role of perceived emotional intelligence

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore work ability (WA) in breast cancer (BC) survivors and to examine the mechanism by which perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) acts as a covitality factor that preserves WA and promotes the return to work in this clinical population.

METHODS

The sample was composed of 622 women divided into two groups: BC survivors (6.75%) and healthy controls (93.25%). Participants completed the Work Ability Index and Trait-Meta-Mood Scales. Descriptive statistical and serial mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mechanism by which PEI influences the relationship between BC survivors and WA.

RESULTS

Preliminary descriptive analysis showed that BC survivors displayed lower levels of WA than healthy controls. The overall serial mediation analysis revealed that BC and PEI predicted 35.4% of the variance of WA. The direct effects showed that BC and age decrease WA. Regarding PEI, our results indicated that emotional clarity and mood repair lead to higher WA, while emotional attention decreased the ability to work in both, the BC sample and healthy controls. The mediation analysis revealed that WA could be preserved in BC survivors by an indirect effect through mood repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support previous research demonstrating that BC patients have lower levels of WA compared to healthy controls. This study highlighted the relevance of PEI as a covitality factor that enhances WA. Our research offers vital support for the need to improve emotional competences in BC patients to increase WA levels and return to work odds.

A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance in Secondary Education: A Multi-Stream Comparison

This study was a quantitative meta-analysis of empirical research on the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and academic performance (AP) that included the three main theoretical models of EI. We conducted a computerized literature search in the main electronic databases. Forty-four of an initial 3,210 articles met the inclusion criteria. With 49 effect sizes and a cumulative sample size of 19,861 participants, we found significant heterogeneity indices indicating a variety of results. In general, the results of this study indicated a significant effect of EI on AP (Z ¯ = 0.26). Average association between EI and AP was higher in studies measured EI as ability (Z ¯ = 0.31), than studies measured EI as self-report (Z ¯ = 0.24), and self-report mixed EI (Z ¯ = 0.26). In the educational field, this meta-analysis provides information on the specific role of EI as a function of used measures. Some practical implications are discussed.

Friendship network mechanisms linking emotional intelligence and subjective well-being: Beyond a mediation model

This study examined whether the status (central or peripheral position) of individuals in a friendship network and the quality of a friendship network represent key mechanisms in determining how emotional intelligence is associated with subjective well-being. Using data collected from 217 Chinese senior undergraduates, we found that the interaction of the quality of a friendship network and a peripheral position in a friendship network mediated relations of emotional intelligence with subjective well-being. Although a central position in a friendship network did not interact with the quality of a friendship network, it did mediate the relations of emotional intelligence with subjective well-being on its own. The findings expand the growing body of research findings on the association between emotional intelligence and subjective well-being by investigating the role of friendship networks and highlight the importance of a network perspective in understanding the association.

SREIS-D

Zusammenfassung. Emotionale Intelligenz (EI) ist ein zentraler Prädiktor psychischer Gesundheit. Im deutschsprachigen Raum lag bislang keine am Vier-Facetten-Modell der EI orientierte Selbstbeschreibungsskala vor, die an klinischen und nicht-klinischen Gruppen getestet wurde. Die Self-Rated Emotional Intelligence Scale (SREIS) ist mit 19 Items ein ökonomisch einsetzbares Instrument. Die Skala wurde ins Deutsche übertragen und psychometrisch überprüft. Außerdem wurde die SREIS erstmals an einer klinischen Population getestet. Auch werden erstmals differenzierte Ergebnisse zu den vier EI-Facetten vorgelegt. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Faktorenstruktur der englischen Originalskala. Die Reliabilität der Gesamtskala ist als gut einzustufen. Validität wird durch erwartungskonforme Korrelationen mit anderen EI-Maßen sowie klinischen Parametern belegt. Durch Diskriminationsfähigkeit zwischen klinischer Stichprobe und nicht-klinischer Kontrollgruppe zeigt die Skala zusätzlich klinische Relevanz. Skalare Messinvarianz zwischen beiden Gruppen liegt vor. Die SREIS-D ist ein ökonomisch einsetzbares Selbstberichtsmaß zur Erfassung von Facetten der EI im klinischen und subklinischen Bereich.

Positive Youth Development and Adolescent Depression: A Longitudinal Study Based on Mainland Chinese High School Students

There are several limitations of the scientific literature on the linkage between positive youth development (PYD) attributes and adolescent psychological morbidity. First, longitudinal studies in the field are limited. Second, few studies have used validated PYD measures to explore the related issues. Third, few studies have used large samples. Fourth, limited studies have been conducted in mainland China. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal study using two waves of data collected from 2648 junior high school students in mainland China. In each wave, participants responded to a validated PYD scale (Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale: CPYDS) and other measures of well-being, including the 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). After controlling for the background demographic variables, different measures of CPYDS (cognitive-behavioral competence, prosocial attributes, general positive youth development qualities, positive identity, and overall PYD qualities) were negatively associated with CES-D scores in Wave 1 and Wave 2. Longitudinal analyses also revealed that PYD measures in Wave 1 negatively predicted Wave 2 depression scores and the changes over time. The present findings highlight the protective role of PYD attributes in protecting adolescents from depression.

The Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC): A French short version for cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Intrapersonal and interpersonal Emotional Competence (EC) predicts better health and disease adjustment. This study aimed to validate a short version of the Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC) scale for cancer patients.

METHODS

Five hundred and thirty-five patients with cancer completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing their intra- and interpersonal EC (PEC), their anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS), and their health-related quality of life (QLQ-C30). Confirmatory factor analyses and Item Response Theory models with the Partial Credit Model were performed to validate and reduce the scale.

FINDINGS

The Short-PEC (13 items), composed of 2 sub-scores of intra- (6 items) and interpersonal (7 items) EC, showed an improved factorial structure (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.075 (90% confidence interval 0.066-0.085), comparative fit index = 0.915) with good psychometric properties.

DISCUSSION

Future studies should use the Short-PEC to explain and predict the adjustment of cancer patients. The short-PEC could be also used in clinical routine to assess the level of EC of patients and to adapt psychosocial intervention.

Empathy, social and emotional competencies, bullying perpetration and victimization as longitudinal predictors of somatic symptoms in adolescence

BACKGROUND

Somatic symptoms are an important adolescent health problem that affects individuals and the society as a whole. Although research focused on somatic symptoms has been very fruitful, studies about their longitudinal predictors are still in their early stages. The present study focuses on the relations between social and emotional competencies, empathy and bullying, and the presence of somatic symptoms concurrently and one year later.

METHOD

The sample consisted of 384 Spanish adolescents, who participated in a longitudinal study with a one-year follow-up. Validated questionnaires were used to assess social and emotional competencies, bullying, empathy and somatic complaints.

RESULTS

High scores in social and emotional competencies were related to low scores in somatic symptoms one year later. High affective empathy predicted more somatic symptoms concurrently and one year later. Bullying victimization was related to more somatic symptoms concurrently and one year later.

LIMITATIONS

Other-reports could be useful to further validate the results obtained with self-reports. Non-linear relations could be tested. Representative samples could be used in future studies.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that it may be important to promote social and emotional competencies and reduce bullying to decrease somatic symptoms. More studies are needed to understand the impact of high affective empathy on somatic symptoms.

The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Emotional Intelligence in College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

BACKGROUND

College students are an inexhaustible driving force for social development, and college students with good physical and psychological qualities can better adapt to changes in the external environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the intrinsic relationship of physical activity and emotional intelligence among college students and to determine the primary role of self-efficacy in their relationships.

METHODS

Eight hundred thirty-five college students from two comprehensive universities in Southwest China, whose average age was 20.13 ± 1.06 years old, were investigated using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Chinese Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and other measuring tools. SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze and process the data with Independent sample t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis, and Amos 21.0 software was used to build the structural equation model.

RESULTS

(1) In terms of physical activity amount, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence, male college students scored higher than female students. Furthermore, college students in humanities and social sciences had lower self-efficacy. In contrast, senior students had the lowest levels of physical activity and self-efficacy, and there was no discipline or grade distribution difference in emotional intelligence. (2) Physical activity amount was positively correlated with emotional intelligence (r = 0.24, P < 0.001) and with self-efficacy (r = 0.26, P < 0.001), and self-efficacy was positively correlated with emotional intelligence in college students (r = 0.18, P < 0.001). (3) Self-efficacy played a partial mediating role between physical activity and emotional intelligence in college students (ES = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Regular physical activity can improve the self-efficacy and emotional intelligence of college students, and effectively promote the physical and mental development of students.

Emotional intelligence and cognitive skills protecting mental health from stress and violence among Ghanaian youth

This study investigates the protective mental health function of high emotional intelligence (EI), and cognitive skills (CS) among Ghanaian adolescents when exposed to stressful life-events and violence. It examines, first, how exposure to stressful life-events and violent experiences is associated with mental health, indicated by depressive and psychological distress symptoms, and, second, whether EI and CS could serve as possible moderators between stress, violence and mental health problems. Participants were 415 Ghanaian secondary education students. They reported about their depressive symptoms (Bireleson), psychological distress (Strength and Difficult Questionnaire, SDQ), and emotional intelligence (Trait Emotional Intelligence Question-naire, TEIQue), cognitive skills (The Amsterdam Executive Function Inventory). They also reported their stressful life-events and violent experiences. Statistical analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). As hypothesized, high level of stressful life events were associated with high levels of depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Yet violent experiences did not associate with mental health problems. Against hypothesis, high levels of EI and CS could not protect adolescents mental health from negative effects of stressful life events or violent experiences. A direct effects were found between low level of EI and CS and high level of mental health problems. The results are discussed in relations to psychological and cultural factors present in EI and CS in adolescence.

Predicting Job Satisfaction in Military Organizations: Unpacking the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork Communication, and Job Attitudes in Spanish Military Cadets

Although prior research has extensively examined the association of emotional intelligence (EI) with various job attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction), empirical and systematic investigation of this link within military institutions has captured considerably less attention. The present research analyzed the relationship between EI, teamwork communication, and job satisfaction among Spanish military cadets. We tested the potential unique contribution of EI to job satisfaction over and above demographics (i.e., gender and age), proactive personality, and resilience. Moreover, we also examined whether EI was indirectly linked to job satisfaction via its relationship with teamwork communication. A sample of 363 cadet officers of the Spanish General Military Academy completed questionnaires assessing EI, teamwork communication, proactive personality, resilience, and job satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that EI exhibited incremental variance (ΔR 2 = 5.2%) in predicting job satisfaction (B = 0.539, 95% CI [0.306,0.771]) even after accounting for demographics, proactive personality, and resilience. Additionally, mediation analysis showed that the association of EI with job satisfaction was partially driven by enhanced teamwork communication. This research provides empirical evidence suggesting a pathway (i.e., effective teamwork communication) through which EI could help military cadets to experience higher job satisfaction. Implications for future academic programs including EI and teamwork communication to promote positive job attitudes among military personnel are discussed.

Development and validation of the Rapid Positive Mental Health Instrument (R-PMHI) for measuring mental health outcomes in the population

Background

The multidimensional Positive Mental Health Instrument (PMHI) has 47 items and six subscales. This study aimed to develop and validate a short unidimensional version of the PMHI among Singapore’s adult resident population.

Methods

Using pooled data from three earlier studies (n = 1050), PMHI items were reduced by Partial Credit Rasch Model (PCRM) runs in a random split-half sample, while psychometric properties of the resulting measure were tested through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), item response theory-graded response model and internal consistency reliability in the other half. Its reliability, construct and concurrent validity, agreement with the original scale, floor and ceiling effect, and scale estimates were further investigated in an external representative general population sample (n = 1925).

Results

The average age of the participants was around 41 years. Four PCRM re-runs for item selection resulted in a 6-item unidimensional Rapid PMHI (R-PMHI). CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure of the R-PMHI in the internal (RMSEA = 0.075, CFI = 0.985, TLI = 0.974) and external (RMSEA = 0.051, CFI = 0.992, TLI = 0.987) validation samples. In the external validation sample, the R-PMHI met concurrent validity criteria, showing high agreement with the 47-item version with intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.872 (95% CI: 0.861 to 0.882) and low floor and ceiling effects. Weight-adjusted mean (SE, 95% CI) R-PMHI score in the population was 4.86 (0.2, 4.82–4.90).

Conclusion

The unidimensional 6-item R-PMHI offers brevity over the original multidimensional measure while appropriately representing the positive mental health construct. Prospective studies are needed to assess its responsiveness and test-retest reliability.

Cyber bullying victimization and adolescent mental health: The differential moderating effects of intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional competence

INTRODUCTION

Individuals who experience bullying victimization are at increased risk for future health and social problems. Despite this, studies show that not all bullying victims are in ill health, suggesting the importance of investigating protective factors that could counteract the adverse effects. The present study focused on investigating the moderating effects of emotional competence (EC) in the relationship between cyber-bullying victimization (CV) and mental health among adolescents.

METHODS

Responses from 6403 adolescents aged 12 to 18 (1925 male, 4478 female, M_age = 16.35, SD = 1.46) with no missing data were used for analysis. The cross-sectional data analyzed in the present study was a part of a large longitudinal online survey conducted by the University of Tokyo in Japan. Participants were recruited among adolescent users of a social networking service widely used in Japan for communication.

RESULTS

Results of regression analysis showed significant direct effects of CV on psychological distress/self-esteem, confirming the adverse effects of victimization. Results also suggested that high intrapersonal EC weakened the relationship between CV and psychological distress, whereas high interpersonal EC strengthened the relationship. There were no significant interactions between CV and EC in predicting self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrapersonal and interpersonal EC may play differential moderating roles in the relationship between CV and psychological distress, the former by buffering the effect and the latter by exacerbating it. Interventions targeting abilities to handle one's own emotions may help decrease distress among adolescents with CV experiences.

Pathways between Ability Emotional Intelligence and Subjective Well-Being: Bridging Links through Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies

Based on a primary prevention perspective, the main purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between ability emotional intelligence, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and well-being indicators (e.g., psychological well-being and satisfaction with life), controlling for sociodemographic variables and personality traits in our analyses. Three hundred and seventy-eight college students (123 males; 252 females; 3 unreported) participated voluntarily in this study. We predicted that ability emotional intelligence would be significantly and positively correlated with well-being outcomes, and that cognitive emotion regulation strategies would mediate the associations between ability emotional intelligence and well-being, controlling for sociodemographic and personality traits. Structural equation modelling estimated by bootstrap method indicated that two adaptive cognitive coping strategies were found to act as partial mediators between ability emotional intelligence and well-being indicators. Our findings provide preliminary support for theoretical work linking ability emotional intelligence, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and well-being outcomes, and contribute to the understanding of how ability emotional intelligence is related to subjective well-being via specific cognitive emotion regulation strategies in college students.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Sociocultural Adjustment on Migrants' Self-reported Mental Well-Being in Spain: A 14 Month Follow-Up Study

The analysis of mental and psychological health is a relevant public issue in modern societies. Migration is a process that may have a lasting impact on a person's mental well-being. In this study, perceived health, emotional intelligence, sociocultural adjustment and the participants' perceived general situation, not only economical, were analyzed to attest their impact on psychological distress as a measure of mental well-being. Sixty-three migrants from Romania and Ecuador were contacted twice during a 14 month period in a middle-sized Spanish city. Attrition analyses show no significant differences in perceived psychological distress between those who participated only one time or who participated in both waves. Less psychological distress is related to less attention to one's feelings and higher mood repair in both data waves. Stronger behavioral adjustment is also linked to less distress. Less distress in time 1 led to better perceived health, sociocultural adjustment and a perception of a better general situation in Spain in comparison to their home country in time 2. In general, more attention to negative feelings triggered more perceived psychological distress, whereas mood repair elicited less psychological distress, in time 2. The relevance of understanding the impact of emotional intelligence to health promotion programs with migrants is discussed.

Emotional intelligence, empathy and alexithymia in anorexia nervosa during adolescence

PURPOSE

Socio-emotional difficulties have been observed on adult patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN). But researches with adolescents are scarce and non-congruent. The aim of this paper is to identify the socio-emotional difficulties that are encountered by AN during adolescence, and to isolate them from those encountered by control adolescents.

METHOD

41 AN and 38 control adolescents were assessed using the emotional quotient inventory by Bar-On, youth version (EQ-i: YV), the Toronto Alexithymia Questionnaire (TAS-20), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and anxiety and depression were controlled using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS

Personal distress remains the main difference between the two groups, even when depression and anxiety are controlled. Intrapersonal difficulties are observed in the AN group, as well as alexithymic traits.

CONCLUSION

Research on AN has to focus on the socio-emotional difficulties during adolescence, to properly identify which difficulties are linked to that life period, and which are a trait of AN.

LEVEL III

Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group.

Strengths Against Psychopathology in Adolescents: Ratifying the Robust Buffer Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence

The aim of this study was to unravel the interrelated effects of trait emotional intelligence (Trait EI), mindfulness, and irrational beliefs on adolescent mental health. A random sample of students from three secondary schools in Spain and eight secondary schools in Portugal was recruited. We conducted four-step hierarchical regression analyses. We also conducted regression analyses to examine the role of mindfulness skills and catastrophizing as mediators of the link between emotional intelligence and psychosocial problems. Finally, the SPSS PROCESS computing tool was used to perform conditional process analysis (model 6). A total of 1370 adolescents from Spain (n = 591) and Portugal (n = 779) participated in this study (mean age = 14.97, SD = 1.50; range = 12-18). The mediation analyses confirmed that adolescent mental health was determined by Trait EI directly, and by mindfulness skills and catastrophizing thoughts in an indirect way. Together, the four variables explained 44% of psychopathology, with EI being the most powerful predictor, which ratify the robust buffer role and incremental validity of Trait EI against youth mental health. The identified pathways provide keys for emotional education interventions aimed at promoting adolescent mental health.

Inteligencia emocional y ajuste psicológico en estudiantes: nivel académico y rama de estudios

El objetivo principal de este estudio ha sido analizar la inteligencia emocional (IE) de 147 estudiantes adultos de distintos niveles educativos. Se realizaron correlaciones de las tres escalas de IE ―percepción, comprensión y regulación emocional― con variables de personalidad, autoestima, apoyo social y sintomatología general. La regulación emocional fue la escala de IE con mayor número de relaciones, fundamentalmente con responsabilidad, apertura a la experiencia, extraversión, autoestima y apoyo social. No se encontraron diferencias en las puntuaciones de IE entre los tres niveles académicos ―formación profesional, grado universitario y máster universitario―. El contraste entre estudiantes con puntuaciones extremas en cada una de las tres escalas de IE, mostró patrones diferenciales en características sociodemográficas, autoestima, apoyo social y sintomatología general. Además, se llevó a cabo un contraste en las escalas de IE, autoestima y apoyo social de aquellos participantes de la muestra original de las ramas de Ciencias Sociales y Ciencias de la Salud, frente a una muestra de estudiantes de Ingeniería Informática. Estos mostraron menor apoyo social y percepción emocional. Los presentes hallazgos aportan información complementaria a los estudios realizados al respecto, con el fin de implementar intervenciones psicológicas dirigidas a promover la inteligencia emocional entre estudiantes de diferentes niveles académicos.

Promoting Social and Emotional Learning and Subjective Well-Being: Impact of the "Aislados" Intervention Program in Adolescents

The aim of this study is to experimentally assess the effects of an intervention program through a video game called “Aislados” for the improvement of subjective well-being, mental health and trait emotional intelligence of a sample of adolescents (n = 187). We used well-established measures with appropriate psychometric properties. The study used a quasi-experimental design of pre-test/post-test repeated measurements with a control group. First, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and then descriptive analyses and variance analyses (ANOVAs) were carried out by the adolescents randomly assigned to the experimental and control conditions. Then, a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed on the study’s variables as a whole. Descriptive and covariance analyses of the post-test scores were carried out (ANCOVAs post-test, co-varying pre-test scores), in order to demonstrate the impact of the program. The effect size was reckoned (Cohen’s d). The results confirm statistically-significant differences in: Health-Related Quality of life, positive affect and mental health. The study provides an effective intervention tool which has been experimentally validated. The overall results allow for emphasizing the importance of the implementation of programs aimed at encouraging social and emotional learning throughout adolescence as protective resources in fostering emotional and behavioral adjustment in adolescents.

Are Trait Emotional Competencies and Heart Rate Variability Linked to Mental Health of Coronary Heart Disease Patients?

PURPOSE

Depression and anxiety have been extensively associated with adverse outcomes in coronary heart disease patients. However, psychological and physiological processes underlying the persistence of these troubles in coronary heart disease patients attending cardiac rehabilitation are poorly investigated. Trait emotional competencies and heart rate variability could be some of these processes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of trait emotional competencies and heart rate variability on depression and anxiety symptoms persistence in coronary heart disease patients.

METHODS

Eighty-four patients who recently presented a myocardial infarction were evaluated at the beginning of cardiac rehabilitation. Forty-two patients continued their rehabilitation program and were then assessed three months later. They completed the Profile of Emotional Competence as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and underwent a 5-minute resting heart rate variability measure.

RESULTS

Low trait emotional competencies score predicted depression symptoms persistence, but unexpectedly, high trait emotional competencies score was also associated with withdrawal from cardiac rehabilitation. Contrary to our expectations, heart rate variability did not predict depression or anxiety symptoms persistence and was not associated with trait emotional competencies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to report an association between trait emotional competencies and depression symptoms persistence in coronary heart disease patients. However, heart rate variability was not associated with either depression or anxiety supporting the idea of mixed literature and highlighting the need of future research.

The contribution of financial well-being, social support, and trait emotional intelligence on psychological distress

OBJECTIVES

While financial deprivation, social isolation, and low emotional intelligence (EI) have been separately identified as important predictors of mental illness, no research has assessed the contribution of these factors together in understanding early markers of severe psychological distress. This information can have key implications for the development of comprehensive interventions and psychological treatment programmes. This study investigated the shared and unique contribution of financial well-being, social support, and trait EI on different types of psychological distress.

DESIGN

A total of 309 patients seeking psychological treatment at an outpatient mental health clinic in the United States provided consent to participate in this study. Patients responded to online questionnaires corresponding to symptomatology, demographic characteristics, and psychometric assessments.

METHODS

Hierarchical linear regressions identified the common and unique role of each set of variables in predicting nine different symptom clusters of psychological distress.

RESULTS

Financial well-being, social support, and trait EI were negatively related to the majority of symptom clusters, together explaining between 20% and 53% of the variance. Whereas financial well-being and social support uniquely captured a significant amount of the variance in all outcomes, trait EI, most notably the well-being and self-control dimensions, captured the most.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the importance of all factors in understanding variations in mental health among help-seeking urban individuals. Furthermore, the results identify well-being and self-control as emotional facets to consider in therapeutic programmes in as much as to mitigate the risk of severe psychological distress within this population.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

Together, financial well-being, social support, and trait emotional intelligence (EI) can help prevent psychological distress in help-seeking urban individuals. Perceived social support and social contact differentially contributed to improved symptoms of psychological distress. Studies should examine the impact of targeting well-being and self-control in psychological treatment. The correlational nature of this study highlights the need to replicate findings via experimental or longitudinal designs.

Dual caregiving by grandmothers with older relatives: Personal factors influencing health and stress

Grandmothers in the "sandwich generation" are considered as those women who are potential caregivers for two generations: older relatives and grandchildren. With the goal of understanding the factors that affect their stress and health, 149 women from southwestern Spain were interviewed using an ad hoc questionnaire that included standardized scales and subscales. The results showed that age, coping strategies based on emotional support and acceptance, as well as optimism and social support improved the health of these women by reducing their perceived stress. Although caring for older relatives is related to family conflicts and worse health, conversely, caring for grandchildren is related to slightly better health. The results are useful for planning psychological interventions with these women and highlight the need to include family interventions.

Emotional intelligence impairments in women with fibromyalgia: Associations with widespread pain

This study aimed at testing the differences in emotional intelligence ability between women with fibromyalgia (cases) and their age-matched counterparts not with fibromyalgia from the general population (controls) and analysing the association between emotional intelligence ability and widespread pain in women with fibromyalgia. A total of 133 cases and 77 controls participated in this cross-sectional study. Controls performed better than cases on emotion understanding. Higher emotion perception and management were significantly associated with lower widespread pain. Therefore, women with fibromyalgia may experience difficulties in understanding emotional information. In fibromyalgia, higher emotion perception and management abilities are independently related to lower widespread pain.

Evaluating the higher-order structure of the Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC): Confirmatory factor analysis and Bayesian structural equation modeling

Emotional competence (EC) reflects individual differences in the identification, comprehension, expression, regulation, and utilization of one’s own and others’ emotions. EC can be operationalized using the Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC). This scale measures each of the five core emotional competences (identification, comprehension, expression, regulation, and utilization), separately for one’s own and others’ emotions. However, the higher-order structure of the PEC has not yet been systematically examined. This study aimed to fill this gap using four different samples (French-speaking Belgian, Dutch-speaking Belgian, Spanish, and Japanese). Confirmatory factor analyses and Bayesian structural equation modeling revealed that a structure with two second-order factors (intrapersonal and interpersonal EC) and with residual correlations among the types of competence (identification, comprehension, expression, regulation, and utilization) fitted the data better than alternative models. The findings emphasize the importance of distinguishing between intrapersonal and interpersonal domains in EC, offer a better framework for differentiating among individuals with different EC profiles, and provide exciting perspectives for future research.

Effect of intrapersonal emotional competences on the relationship between attachment insecurity and severity of eating disorder symptoms in patients with restrictive anorexia

OBJECTIVE

Attachment insecurity and emotional competences (EC) form a key part of conceptual models of anorexia nervosa (AN). We explored the relationship between attachment dimensions and EC on the severity of eating disorders in patients diagnosed with restrictive AN.

METHOD

Sixty-three female patients with restrictive AN and 63 healthy participants completed self-report measures (eating symptoms, EC, attachment, depression, and anxiety).

RESULT

Patients with restrictive AN used fewer adaptive and more maladaptive regulation strategies and showed low levels of intrapersonal EC. The partial least squares path modeling analysis showed that high levels of attachment anxiety or avoidance lead to a decrease in intrapersonal EC, which in turn contributes to greater severity of eating symptoms in anorexic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower intrapersonal EC played an important mediating role in the effects of attachment insecurity on the severity of eating disorders. The joint use of therapeutic programs that target both EC and attachment processes constitutes a promising approach.

Are Emotionally Intelligent People More Creative? A Meta-Analysis of the Emotional Intelligence–Creativity Link

Although emotional intelligence (EI) is positively associated with beneficial outcomes such as higher job performance and better psychological well-being, its relationship with creativity is uncertain. To assess an overall correlation between EI and creativity, in the present study a meta-analysis of 96 correlations obtained from 75 studies with a total sample size of 18,130 was conducted. The results uncovered a statistically significant moderate correlation (r = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.26–0.38, p < 0.01) between these two constructs. Moderation analyses revealed that the link was modulated by the type of creativity/EI measure and sample characteristics, such as gender, employment status, and culture. Specifically, the link was stronger when EI and creativity were measured using subjective reports (EI: trait EI; creativity: creative behavior and creative personality) compared to objective tests (EI: ability EI; creativity: divergent thinking test, remote associate test, and creative product). In addition, the link was stronger in males compared to females, in employees compared to students, and in East Asian samples compared to Western European and American samples. Theoretical implications and future directions are discussed in detail.

Emotional Intelligence Profiles of University Students with Motor Disabilities: Differential Analysis of Self-Concept Dimensions

Background: This study compares the self-concept of students that have motor disabilities with that of students in the normative group. It also considers whether there are EI (emotional intelligence) profiles based on combinations of EI components (attention, clarity, and mood repair). Finally, it analyzes whether there are statistically significant differences in self-concept based on the EI profiles found. Method: 102 university students with motor disabilities participated. The age range was 19-33 (M = 20.22, SD = 4.36). The Escala de Autoconcepto Forma 5 (Self-Concept Scale Form 5, AF5) and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24) were administered. Results: The scores for self-concept were lower in the sample of students with reduced mobility. The cluster analysis also identified three different EI profiles: one group of young people with high general EI scores, one group with high scores for clarity and mood repair, and a last group of students with low EI scores. Finally, the ANOVA showed better self-concept in the group with high scores in the three EI dimensions. The results suggest that better self-concept is associated with a high EI profile. Conclusions: It would be interesting to provide programs that consider EI in more depth to strengthen these students' self-concept.

Physically active undergraduates: Motivational and emotional profiles

Objectives: The aim was to determine the motivational profiles - including variables from the theory of self-determination and emotional intelligence - of active undergraduates, and to examine their relationship with physical activity. Participants: Six hundred and fifteen undergraduates participated in the study. Methods: Trait Meta-Mood Scale, Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire and Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered. Cluster analysis was used to identify the motivational profiles. Results: Two motivational profiles were found. One of the motivational profiles included the participants with high levels of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation; moderately high levels of emotional clarity and repair; and low levels of non-self-determined motivation. Further, this group showed the highest rates of physical practice than its counterpart. Conclusions: The combination of self-determination theory and emotional intelligence should be considered when examining adherence to physical activity.

Physical activity and emotional intelligence among undergraduate students: a correlational study

Background

Physical activity (PA) can be a mechanism that develops emotions. Emotional intelligence (EI) is related to significant public health and psychological benefits. However, there is little information about the relationships between PA and EI dimensions: emotional attention, clarity, and repair. This study examined the possible relationships between these variables in undergraduate students from Madrid. As a secondary aim, sex differences in PA domains and EI dimensions were examined.

Methods

A total of 2960 (21.34 ± 4.34 years) undergraduate students from Madrid (Spain) fulfilled the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). We used a MANOVA to compare EI and PA levels according to sex. Different linear regressions were conducted to calculate the PA and age prediction power based on EI.

Results

We found a significant association between EI dimensions and PA levels, although these relationships were small. Fully adjusted linear regression showed that sex and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were associated of emotional attention (r²_c = .025). Sex, age, and LTPA were associated of emotional repair (r²_c = .024). There were statistically significant differences in EI by sex (p ≤ .001; η²_{p =} .039), with higher scores in emotional attention for women (p ≤ .001) and emotional clarity (p ≤ .001) and repair (p ≤ .001) for men. PA levels differed according to sex (p ≤ .001; η²_{p =} .038). Men show higher scores in LTPA levels (p = .002) and occupational PA (p ≤ .001).

Conclusions

Undergraduate students with higher levels of LTPA showed a better score on EI, specifically in emotional attention and emotional repair. However, these associations and the predictive power of LTPA regarding emotional attention and emotional repair were weak. Men engaged in more LTPA and occupational PA and had higher emotional clarity and emotional repair than women. However, women had higher emotional attention.

Are Effect Sizes in Emotional Intelligence Field Declining? A Meta-Meta Analysis

Since Salovey and Mayer (1990) first proposed the emotional intelligence (EI) as an independent intellectual component, research on the field of EI has developed rapidly. A large number of studies have shown that emotional intelligence is an important predictor that affects our lives, such as job performance, mental health, and so on. However, we observed that some effect sizes in the field of emotional intelligence decreased over time. Is this kind of decline simply due to random errors, or is emotional intelligence field undergoing decline effects? The present study analyzed 484 effect sizes based on the responses of 102,579 participants from nine meta-analyses in emotional intelligence field to estimate the average effect size, and evidence for decline effects in this field. This study finds that the average effect size of EI is 0.244 (p < 0.001), and the average effect size of mixed EI (r = 0.272, p < 0.001) is significantly higher than that of ability EI (r = 0.160, p < 0.001). Effect sizes in the field of EI decrease with time, there are decline effects in emotional intelligence field. Furthermore, there are also decline effects in mixed EI field. However, we find no evidence that there are decline effects in ability EI field. Base on the significant average effect size of mixed EI, the most likely explanation for the decline in effect sizes is that effect sizes of mixed EI in the original studies were overestimate. This study considers decline effects in mixed EI research as inflated decline effects. To sum up, decline effects in the field of emotional intelligence are mainly due to the choice of emotional intelligence model and measurement method.

The Predictive Value of Emotional Intelligence for Internet Gaming Disorder: A 1-Year Longitudinal Study

This one-year longitudinal study examined trait emotional intelligence as a predictor of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). To date, only cross-sectional research has been conducted to test the protective effects of emotional intelligence against IGD tendency. Based on the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, this study aimed to address the research gap by examining not only the direct effects of trait emotional intelligence, but also its indirect effects (via depressive symptoms and coping flexibility) on IGD, with both a cross-sectional and longitudinal design. The participants were 282 Chinese university students (mean age = 20.47; 39.4% males) who voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire at both baseline (W1) and one-year follow-up (W2). Path analysis results revealed that trait emotional intelligence had a protective but indirect effect on IGD tendency in both our cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Depression was found to have a significant, full mediating effect on the relationship between: (i) trait emotional intelligence and IGD tendency (W2) and (ii) coping flexibility and IGD tendency (W2), after adjusting for IGD tendency at the baseline (W1). Gender invariance of the path coefficient was also observed in the prospective model. This study provided longitudinal evidence to support the I-PACE model. Interventions should address both IGD and depressive symptoms, and school-based workshops to increase emotional intelligence and coping flexibility are also recommended.