The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Psychological Well-Being Among University Students: The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress

Abstract

This paper examines the association of EI, resilience and psychological well-being to perceived stress in university students. The institution of university offers a host of academic, social and personal demands that can impact students' mental health and overall well-being. Emotional intelligence and resilience are psychological resources which have been identified as playing a role in the learner's stress management and positive psychological functioning. However, there is a lack of understanding on the relationship of these factors with psychological wellbeing, especially for higher education institutions. In the present study the mediator between emotional intelligence and psychological well being was perceived stress and perceived stress with psychological well being was taken as resilience of students. For the respondents in Higher education institutes, it is recommended to use quantitative cross sectional research design. Common instruments for data collection include the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale. The study is based on the assumption that the emotional intelligence, resilience and psychological well being are positively related, and the perceived stress and psychological well being are negatively related. In addition, it is hypothesized that perceived stress will buffer the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being. The findings will contribute to the knowledge of student mental health and provide recommendations that are practical and will be passed on to schools who desire to improve student mental health and performance. The study emphasises the need for ongoing research and development of emotional skills and interventions which build emotional resilience to help buffer students' emotional reactions to stress and elicit positive psychological reactions.