On the criterion and incremental validity of trait emotional intelligence

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the criterion and incremental validity of trait emotional intelligence (trait EI or trait emotional self-efficacy), which is defined as a constellation of emotion-related self-perceptions and dispositions located at the lower levels of personality hierarchies (Petrides & Furnham, 2001). In Studies 1 and 2 (N=166 and 354, respectively) trait EI is shown to be related to measures of rumination, life satisfaction, depression, dysfunctional attitudes, and coping. Most relationships remained statistically significant even after controlling for Big Five variance. In Study 3 (N=212) trait EI is shown to be related to depression and nine distinct personality disorders. Most relationships remained significant, even after controlling for positive and negative affectivity (mood). It is concluded that trait EI has a role to play in personality, clinical, and social psychology, often with effects that are incremental over the basic dimensions of personality and mood.

Acknowledgments

KVP was supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and research grant SGS/01075/G from the Nuffield Foundation. JCP-G was supported by a Predoctoral Fellowship from the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

We would like to thank Universidad de Huelva, Escuela Universitaria Cardenal Cisneros de Alcalá de Henares and Universidad Complutense de Madrid for facilitating the data collection for Study 3.

Notes

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²In the regression with “detached coping” as the criterion, the partial coefficient for trait EI at step 2 approached, but did not attain, statistical significance (β_TEI=.181, t=1.69, p=.09).