Affiliations: [a] University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal
| [b] Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD-UTAD, Portugal
| [c] Research in Education and Community Intervention, RECI- Instituto Piaget, Portugal
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Henrique Costa, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Departamento de Ciências do Desporto, Exercício e Saúde Quinta de Prados - Campus Desportivo 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Several studies have suggested that trait and ability-based measures of emotional intelligence (EI) contribute to the promotion of well-being in adults. However, this relationship has not been sufficiently explored among adolescents. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to: i) investigate the associations between EI dimensions and well-being indicators (self-esteem, life satisfaction and social anxiety) in adolescents; and ii) analyze the effect of sex and age on dimensions of EI. METHODS:The sample consisted of 1066 adolescents (57.9%girls and 42.1%boys), aged between 11 and 18 years (M = 14.36; SD = 1.58). Participants completed sociodemographic and validated psychosocial measures. RESULTS:Correlation analysis indicated that EI dimensions (self-emotion appraisal, use of emotions and regulation of emotions) were positively and moderately correlated with self-esteem and life satisfaction, whereas associations between EI and social anxiety dimensions were small and negative. Boys reported higher levels of self-emotion appraisal, use of emotions and regulation of emotions, whereas girls showed higher levels of other-emotions appraisal. Age was negatively associated with the use of the emotions dimension and positively correlated with the emotional appraisal of others, although both correlation coefficients were small. CONCLUSIONS:Our study findings suggest the need and importance of implementing emotional education practices during adolescence.
