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How Is Emotional Intelligence Linked to Life Satisfaction? The Mediating Role of Social Support, Positive Affect and Negative Affect

Author

Listed:
  • Feng Kong

    (Shaanxi Normal University)

  • Xinyu Gong

    (Southwest University)

  • Sonia Sajjad

    (Shaanxi Normal University)

  • Kairong Yang

    (Shaanxi Normal University)

  • Jingjing Zhao

    (Shaanxi Normal University)

Abstract

This study investigated the role of social support and affective experience (i.e., positive affect and negative affect) in the relationship between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction. Participants included 748 Chinese adults with an age range of 16–60 years who completed the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, the multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support, the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that social support, positive affect and negative affect independently mediated the effect of trait emotional intelligence on life satisfaction, consistent with the social network and affective meditation models. More importantly, the identified serial mediation model indicated that emotional intelligence could influence life satisfaction through the chain mediating effect of “social support–positive affect” and “social support–negative affect”. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the links between these factors and suggest that high emotional intelligence may promote well-being from the social support and affective perspectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Feng Kong & Xinyu Gong & Sonia Sajjad & Kairong Yang & Jingjing Zhao, 2019. "How Is Emotional Intelligence Linked to Life Satisfaction? The Mediating Role of Social Support, Positive Affect and Negative Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(8), pages 2733-2745, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-018-00069-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-00069-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Yikilmaz, İbrahim & Sürücü, Lütfi & Güleryüz, İlkay, 2023. "Workload, Life Satisfaction and Intention to Leave in Hotel Businesses," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 11(2), pages 1395-1415.
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    5. María Angeles Peláez-Fernández & Lourdes Rey & Natalio Extremera, 2021. "A Sequential Path Model Testing: Emotional Intelligence, Resilient Coping and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms during Unemployment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-11, January.
    6. Vilma Vilca-Pareja & Andrés Luque Ruiz de Somocurcio & Ronald Delgado-Morales & Lizbeth Medina Zeballos, 2022. "Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Satisfaction with Life in University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Ken Randall & Timothy G. Ford & Kyong-Ah Kwon & Susan S. Sisson & Matthew R. Bice & Danae Dinkel & Jessica Tsotsoros, 2021. "Physical Activity, Physical Well-Being, and Psychological Well-Being: Associations with Life Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Early Childhood Educators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Giusy Danila Valenti & Palmira Faraci & Paola Magnano, 2021. "Emotional Intelligence and Social Support: Two Key Factors in Preventing Occupational Stress during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-15, June.
    9. Wenjing Yan & Linting Zhang & Wenjie Li & Feng Kong, 2022. "How is Subjective Family Socioeconomic Status Related to Life Satisfaction in Chinese Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Resilience, Self-Esteem and Hope," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(5), pages 1565-1581, October.
    10. Kaifeng Wang & Feng Kong, 2020. "Linking Trait Mindfulness to Life Satisfaction in Adolescents: the Mediating Role of Resilience and Self-Esteem," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(1), pages 321-335, February.
    11. Chuhua Zheng & Yanhong Wu, 2020. "The More Modest You are, the Happier You are: The Mediating Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Self-esteem," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 1603-1615, June.
    12. Feng Kong & Wenjie Li & Qiuling Wang & Zonglei Zhen, 2023. "Incremental Well-being Beliefs and Well-being in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-esteem and Optimism," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(2), pages 533-549, April.
    13. Wenjie Li & Linting Zhang & Ning Jia & Feng Kong, 2021. "Validation of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities-Revised Scale in Chinese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-10, April.
    14. Yang Yang & Keqiao Liu & Siqi Li & Man Shu, 2020. "Social Media Activities, Emotion Regulation Strategies, and Their Interactions on People’s Mental Health in COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-16, December.
    15. Laura Lacomba-Trejo & Joaquín Mateu-Mollá & Monica D. Bellegarde-Nunes & Iraida Delhom, 2022. "Are Coping Strategies, Emotional Abilities, and Resilience Predictors of Well-Being? Comparison of Linear and Non-Linear Methodologies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
    16. Yanhui Xiang & Rong Yuan, 2021. "Why Do People with High Dispositional Gratitude Tend to Experience High Life Satisfaction? A Broaden-and-Build Theory Perspective," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2485-2498, August.
    17. Veljko Jovanović & Mohsen Joshanloo, 2022. "The Contribution of Positive and Negative Affect to Life Satisfaction across Age," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(2), pages 511-524, April.
    18. Zahid Shafait & Zhu Yuming & Natanya Meyer & Włodzimierz Sroka, 2021. "Emotional Intelligence, Knowledge Management Processes and Creative Performance: Modelling the Mediating Role of Self-Directed Learning in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, March.
    19. Carlos Salavera & Pablo Usán & Alberto Quilez-Robres, 2022. "Exploring the Effect of Parental Styles on Social Skills: The Mediating Role of Affects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    20. YODO Masato & UCHIDA Atsuhiko, 2022. "How Much Is It Worth Not Being Alone? An empirical evaluation of social support using the life satisfaction approach in Japan," Discussion papers 22108, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    21. Feng Kong & Kairong Yang & Wenjing Yan & Xuewen Li, 2021. "How Does Trait Gratitude Relate to Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Resilience and Social Support," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1611-1622, April.
    22. Yan, Wenjing & Zhang, Linting & Li, Wenjie & You, Xuqun & Kong, Feng, 2022. "Associations of family subjective socioeconomic status with hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in emerging adulthood: A daily diary study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).

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