Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health among Adolescents

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health among Adolescents

Mary Rachelle R. Wapaño, PhD
Kinaadman Research Center, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Philippines

Abstract: This study examined the role of emotional intelligence to mental health. In this study, the identified mental health components are anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and resilience. This correlational research used regression analyses were conducted to examine the correlational relationships among variables The results showed the EI is negative predict anxiety and depression, and reactivity, a component of resilience. EI was shown to positively predict self-efficacy and resilience among 300Filipino adolescents. These results provide support for the idea that emotionally intelligent individuals are more likely resilient, have sense of self-efficacy and, are less anxious, less depressed, and less reactive. The results then demonstrate the adaptive value of emotional intelligence, that is, it allows an individual to positively cope and adjust to his/her environment.

I. INTRODUCTION

Emotional intelligence is thought to be the individual’s ability to process and utilize emotional information related to key areas of effective functioning in everyday life (Mayer & Salovey, 1997). It is a combination of factors that is found to be related to motivation (Christie, Jordan, Troth, Lawrence, 2007); impulse control (Tice, Bratslavsky, & Baumeister, 2001); mood regulation (Gohm) 2003 and the ability to persist in the face of frustration (Yoo & Salovey, 2008). Evidence reveals that emotional intelligence is a predictor of academic (Downey, Mountstephen, Lloyd, Hansen, & Stough, 2008) and professional (Abraham, 2005) success.
Among adolescents, emotional intelligence is found to help reduce stress by decreasing conflict, improving relationships and understanding one’s own emotions. This kind of emotional health is fundamental to effective learning and education (Serrat, 2009). Understanding the process and elements of learning, which necessarily involves self-efficacy, self-regulation, and ability to communicate and cooperate, in themselves essential aspects of emotional intelligence, are also critical to student success (Zimmerman, Bandura, & Pons, 1992). Stressful events, such as starting college life, moving to a new city, separation from friends, or loss of a parent, can prompt the onset of anxiety symptoms among adolescents. Among adolescents, anxiety disorder can be difficult to diagnose as an adolescent’s behavior is often attributed to being “just a phase.” When not addressed or left untreated, anxiety disorders can persist and interfere severely with an adolescent’s life and can lead to missed school days, strained peer relations, low self-esteem, alcohol or substance abuse (Stein & Hollander, 2001).

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