Relationship between emotional intelligence and coping styles among young people

Abstract

In the present study we investigated the influence and implications of emotional intelligence dimensions on the tendency to adopt certain strategies to cope with daily stress. The sample consisted of 50 people aged 18 to 25 years old. Emotional intelligence was evaluated through the TMMS-24 Scale, which assesses three dimensions of EI (Emotional attention, clarity emotional and emotional repair). Coping with daily stress was evaluated by a coping questionnaire based on the COPE through an ecological momentary assessment, reducing recall bias and capturing the behaviour in a dynamic and real way. It evaluates four types of coping styles: Problem-focused, Emotional-focused, Seeking social support, and Disengagement. The main results show that there is a predictive relationship between emotional Intelligence and coping with daily stress. Clarity and emotional repair have a positive influence on problem-focused coping. Additionally, emotional attention has a positive influence on disengagement; however, and emotional clarity and emotional repair have a negative influence on disengagement. The best predictor of emotion-focused coping was the emotional clarity, and the best predictor of seeking social support was the emotional repair.