Subjective happiness mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological distress among students: a path analysis

Abstract

This study examined the direct and indirect influences of students’ emotional intelligence on their level of psychological distress through subjective happiness. A cross-sectional design was employed and a total of 260 undergraduate students were sampled from a public university in Ghana. The participants were administered questionnaires which measured emotional intelligence, subjective happiness, psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress), and demographic characteristics. Findings showed that there was direct negative effect of emotional intelligence on overall psychological distress (b = -.184, t = -4.796, p < .001) and an indirect effect on psychological distress through subjective happiness (b = -.058, 95%CI = -.102 to -.014). Emotional intelligence had significant direct negative effects on depression, anxiety and stress. However, emotional intelligence had a significant indirect effect on only depression through subjective happiness. The findings underscore the need for teaching and promoting emotional intelligence among students to promote positive health and academic outcomes.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Subjective Happiness, Psychological distress, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Students.