Emotional Intelligence, Optimism, Meaning of Life, and Stress Levels among University Students
Abstract
Students have adapted to academic stressors and social transitions alongside personal developmental requirements such stressors are required to be dealt with psychological resources that help facilitate mental and emotional health. This study investigated the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), optimism, meaning of life and stress. Conducted at the GCU, UOL, Superior University and Riphah International University, Lahore Pakistan, to ensure relevance, the study was purposively sampled bachelor’s and master’s students between ages of 20 and 30. Data were collected through structured questionnaires included Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), Life Orientation Test revised (LOT-R) and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Independent sample t-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Regression Analysis and Parallel Mediation Analysis (PROCESS Model 4) used to analyze the data. The results indicated that there is a significant negative correlation between EI and perceived stress, and positive correlation between EI and MIL. Findings revealed that optimism and meaning in life were not significant mediators of the relationship between EI and stress and failed to enhance model in any significant way. No prominent gender difference was identified. This gap can be due to change in socio-cultural factors such as more women being able to study and have professional careers. Challenges like cross-sectional design, one city sample, self-report and social desirability were also identified. Reducing research design to longitudinal and qualitative, investigating other mediators and examining intervention-based EI programs in different cultural or academic contexts should be considered in future research. In conclusion, it is demonstrated the necessity of establishing and integrating EI training regimes in universities as well as counseling services, and extracurriculars to improve the maintenance of stress, concept of life meaning and interpersonal skills by students.
Keywords: emotional intelligence; meaning in life; optimism; stress; university students; correlation; parallel mediation; regression analysis
