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Social Intelligence and Psychological Distress: Subjective and Psychological Well-Being as Mediators

Author

Listed:
  • Carolina M. Azañedo

    (Department of Psychology, Villanueva University, 28034 Madrid, Spain)

  • Santiago Sastre

    (Department of Psychology, Villanueva University, 28034 Madrid, Spain)

  • Teresa Artola

    (Department of Psychology, Villanueva University, 28034 Madrid, Spain)

  • Jesús M. Alvarado

    (School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain)

  • Amelia Jiménez-Blanco

    (School of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The strength named “social intelligence” in the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues represents emotional, personal, and social intelligences, which are considered “hot intelligences”. This work contributed to the study of the mechanisms of influence of social intelligence on mental health. A multiple mediation model was proposed to quantify the direct effect of social intelligence on psychopathological symptoms, as well as its indirect effect through its impact on components of subjective and psychological well-being. This study involved 1407 university students who completed the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWBS), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Social intelligence was found to be significantly associated with life satisfaction ( a = 0.33, p < 0.001), positive affect ( a = 0.42, p < 0.001), and negative affect ( a = −0.21, p < 0.001), transmitting significant indirect effects on psychopathological symptomatology through these components of subjective well-being. Likewise, social intelligence was positively and significantly related to psychological well-being ( a -paths ranged from 0.31 to 0.43, p < 0.001), exerting significant and negative indirect effects on psychological distress through the dimension of positive relations with other people. These results could be useful in order to expand the explanatory models of the influence of social intelligence on mental health and to design interventions based on this strength for the promotion of well-being and the reduction in psychological distress.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolina M. Azañedo & Santiago Sastre & Teresa Artola & Jesús M. Alvarado & Amelia Jiménez-Blanco, 2020. "Social Intelligence and Psychological Distress: Subjective and Psychological Well-Being as Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7785-:d:434081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Keyes, C.L.M. & Dhingra, S.S. & Simoes, E.J., 2010. "Change in level of positive mental health as a predictor of future risk of mental Illness," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(12), pages 2366-2371.
    2. Kobau, R. & Seligman, M.E.P. & Peterson, C. & Diener, E. & Zack, M.M. & Chapman, D. & Thompson, W., 2011. "Mental health promotion in public health: Perspectives and strategies from positive psychology," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(8), pages 1-9.
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