The relation between emotional intelligence and subjective well-being: A meta-analytic investigation

Abstract

This meta-analysis includes studies concerning the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI) and subjective well-being (SWB). A total of 25 studies with 77 effect sizes and a combined sample of 8520 participants were found. The results provided evidence of a positive significant relationship between EI and SWB (ȓ = 0.32). This relationship was found to be higher in studies using self-report mixed EI instruments (ȓ = 0.38), than with in studies using self-report ability EI instruments (ȓ = 0.32) and performance-based ability EI instruments (ȓ = 0.22). When examining EI measures, there was a larger association between EI and the cognitive component of SWB (ȓ = 0.35) than with the affective component (ȓ = 0.29). There is a need for further research with other evaluation methods to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between EI and SWB.

Keywords:

• emotional intelligence
• subjective well-being
• literature review
• meta-analysis

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Spain [PSI2012-37490], [PSI2012-38813], [SEJ-07325].