Coping as a mediator in the relationship between Trait emotional intelligence and adolescent stress

ABSTRACT

Adolescents are the drivers of social change and transformation in any community. Their ability to deal with stressors will determine their well-being and ability to contribute to society. Thus, the present study assessed the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (Trait EI), coping styles, and adolescent stress. In particular, it investigated the role of coping styles as a mediator between Trait EI and adolescent stress. Three hundred fifty-seven adolescents studying in schools in Delhi participated in the study. The study revealed a significant association between Trait EI, coping styles, and adolescent stress. Furthermore, the mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between Trait EI and adolescent stress was partially mediated by emotion-oriented coping style. Task and avoidance-oriented coping did not act as mediators. The current findings have implications for psychologists, school counsellors, and mental health researchers involved in building stress management programs to nurture life skills among adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescence
• gender
• school
• mental health
• intelligence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. The study was non-interventional and was approved by the Manipal University Jaipur Directorate of Research.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2292070

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jasmine Arora

Jasmine Arora is a Ph.D. research scholar at the Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Manipal University Jaipur, India. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist from the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

V Vineeth Kumar

V Vineeth Kumar. Ph.D., is an Associate Professor (Sr.) at the Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Manipal University Jaipur, India, where he teaches clinical and applied psychology courses. His current research interest includes spiritual and emotional intelligence and holistic well-being in youth.