Strengths Against Psychopathology in Adolescents: Ratifying the Robust Buffer Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence

José A. Piqueras, Maria do Céu Salvador, Victoria Soto-Sanz, Francisco Mira and Juan-Carlos Pérez-González
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José A. Piqueras: Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Campus of Elche, Miguel Hernandez University (UMH), Elche 03202, Spain
Maria do Céu Salvador: Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3001-115, Portugal
Victoria Soto-Sanz: Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Campus of Elche, Miguel Hernandez University (UMH), Elche 03202, Spain
Francisco Mira: Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Campus of Elche, Miguel Hernandez University (UMH), Elche 03202, Spain
Juan-Carlos Pérez-González: Emotional Education Laboratory (EDUEMO Lab), National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of this study was to unravel the interrelated effects of trait emotional intelligence (Trait EI), mindfulness, and irrational beliefs on adolescent mental health. A random sample of students from three secondary schools in Spain and eight secondary schools in Portugal was recruited. We conducted four-step hierarchical regression analyses. We also conducted regression analyses to examine the role of mindfulness skills and catastrophizing as mediators of the link between emotional intelligence and psychosocial problems. Finally, the SPSS PROCESS computing tool was used to perform conditional process analysis (model 6). A total of 1370 adolescents from Spain ( n = 591) and Portugal ( n = 779) participated in this study (mean age = 14.97, SD = 1.50; range = 12–18). The mediation analyses confirmed that adolescent mental health was determined by Trait EI directly, and by mindfulness skills and catastrophizing thoughts in an indirect way. Together, the four variables explained 44% of psychopathology, with EI being the most powerful predictor, which ratify the robust buffer role and incremental validity of Trait EI against youth mental health. The identified pathways provide keys for emotional education interventions aimed at promoting adolescent mental health.

Keywords: youth mental health; trait emotional intelligence; mindfulness; catastrophizing; cross-cultural research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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