Emotional Intelligence, Health, and Stress

Matthews, Gerald; Zeidner, Moshe; Roberts, Richard D.

doi:10.1002/9781118993811.ch18

Cited by 32 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Notably, AEI was related to maladaptive physiological responses in intra-personal settings (e.g., Bechtoldt and Schneider, 2016). This contradicts suggestions that AEI should strongly predict adaptive criteria in such environments (Matthews et al, 2017). AEI also failed to predict reactivity to cognitive tasks (e.g., Matthews et al, 2006), and when confronted with emotive stimuli, findings were conflicted.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 63%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Does Emotional Intelligence Buffer the Effects of Acute Stress? A Systematic Review

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

People with higher levels of emotional intelligence (EI: adaptive emotional traits, skills, and abilities) typically achieve more positive life outcomes, such as psychological wellbeing, educational attainment, and job-related success. Although the underpinning mechanisms linking EI with those outcomes are largely unknown, it has been suggested that EI may work as a “stress buffer.” Theoretically, when faced with a stressful situation, emotionally intelligent individuals should show a more adaptive response than those with low EI, such as reduced reactivity (less mood deterioration, less physiological arousal), and faster recovery once the threat has passed. A growing number of studies have begun to investigate that hypothesis in respect to EI measured as both an ability (AEI) and trait (TEI), but results are unclear. To test the “stress-buffering” function of EI, we systematically reviewed experimental studies that explored the relationship between both types of EI and acute stress reactivity or recovery. By searching four databases, we identified 45 eligible studies. Results indicated that EI was only adaptive in certain contexts, and that findings differed according to stressor type, and how EI was measured. In terms of stress reactivity, TEI related to less mood deterioration during sports-based stressors (e.g., competitions), physical discomfort (e.g., dental procedure), and cognitive stressors (e.g., memory tasks), but did not appear as helpful in other contexts (e.g., public speaking). Furthermore, effects of TEI on physiological stress responses, such as heart rate, were inconsistent. Effects of AEI on subjective and objective stress reactivity were often non-significant, with high levels detrimental in some cases. However, data suggest that both higher AEI and TEI relate to faster recovery from acute stress. In conclusion, results provide mixed support for the stress-buffering effect of EI. Limitations and quality of studies are also discussed. Findings could have implications for EI training programmes.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 63%

“…Researchers are increasingly turning to EI in the search for individual differences that influence stress responding (Matthews et al, 2017). If EI is adaptive in stressful situations, high EI scorers should resond more in line with the adaptive profile (reduced reactivity, faster recovery), compared to low EI scorers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Emotional Intelligence Buffer the Effects of Acute Stress? A Systematic Review

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Hence, efforts have been directed at broadening models of health and wellbeing in the unemployed, and there is now more interest in examining the protective role that psychological resources play during periods of unemployment [1,20]. It has been suggested that emotional intelligence (EI), a construct that captures individuals’ abilities to deal with affective information, is a core psychological resource and predictor of stress and health outcomes in a variety of settings, including unemployment [21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ability perspective on EI defines this construct as a set of cognitive-emotional skills for processing emotional information in order to promote emotional and intellectual growth [23]. Recent reviews have shown that the EI construct predicts physical and mental health indicators [21,22], as well as suicide risk [24]. Beyond the direct influences of EI on health and suicide risk, there is consistent evidence showing that EI significantly influences stress responses which, in turn, can impact health and suicide risk.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Emotional Intelligence Matter in Tough Times? A Moderated Mediation Model for Explaining Health and Suicide Risk amongst Short- and Long-Term Unemployed Adults

Mérida-López

Extremera

Quintana-Orts

et al. 2019

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study contributes to knowledge on psychosomatic research by examining a moderated mediation model in which emotional intelligence (EI) is related to mental health, physical health and suicide risk through perceived stress, in samples of short-term (n = 364) and long-term (n = 594) unemployed individuals. The moderating effect of emotional intelligence on the relationships between perceived stress and mental and physical health and suicide risk was tested. The results showed that emotional intelligence was positively associated with mental and physical health and negatively associated with perceived stress and suicide risk. The proposed model only predicted mental health and suicide risk in the long-term unemployed sample. This suggests that emotional intelligence may act as a buffer against the negative impact of unemployment-related stress on mental health and suicide risk when unemployment is prolonged. Therefore, interventions targeting both the promotion of mental health and the prevention of suicide risk via the promotion of emotional abilities may consider length of unemployment.

show abstract

“…Emotional intelligence refers to a set of emotional abilities that includes accurate appraisal of emotions in oneself and others, appropriate expression of emotion, adaptive regulation of emotion, and utilization of emotions in solving problems [1]. Numerous studies have shown that emotional intelligence can effectively benefit people's mental health or serve as a factor moderating stress [2][3][4][5]. However, some dimensions of emotional intelligence may vary in their effects on mental health because of cultural factors.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Acceptance in Promoting Chinese People's Mental Health

Chu¹

2018

Neuropsychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies have found that some dimensions of emotional intelligence (e.g. emotional expression or utilization) may vary in their effects on mental health because of cultural factors. The efficacy of emotional intelligence on mental health can be fully realized in Western society; however, it is maladjusted to Eastern society. Compared with emotional intelligence, the positive benefit of psychological acceptance on mental health may have more generalizability across cultures. Psychological acceptance may be more effective than emotional intelligence in improving the mental health of Chinese people. The aims of this study are outlined as follows: to present the relationship between emotional intelligence, mental health and cultural norms; compare the effectiveness of emotional intelligence and psychological acceptance in promoting Chinese people's mental health; and propose possible directions for future research by looking at unanswered questions.

show abstract

Emotional Intelligence, Health, and Stress

Cited by 32 publications

References 45 publications

Does Emotional Intelligence Buffer the Effects of Acute Stress? A Systematic Review

Does Emotional Intelligence Buffer the Effects of Acute Stress? A Systematic Review

Does Emotional Intelligence Matter in Tough Times? A Moderated Mediation Model for Explaining Health and Suicide Risk amongst Short- and Long-Term Unemployed Adults

Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Acceptance in Promoting Chinese People's Mental Health

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About