Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship between Negative Life Events and Psychological Distress among E-Cigarette

Abstract

Negative life events are certain and often leave a profound impact, but the way we respond to them shapes both our mental health and our behaviors. The present study seeks to examine the association of Negative Life Events, Psychological Distress and Emotional Intelligence in E-Cigarette Users. The study also analyses the moderating role of Emotional Intelligence. The participants were 302 young adult e-cigarette users. The sampling techniques used were purposive and snowball sampling. The study design was cross-sectional correlational. Data were collected using standardized scales like the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2002), Negative Life Events Scale for Students (Buri, 2018), and Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (Wong & Law, 2002). The data was analyzed through SPSS version 23, and moderation was found using the PROCESS macro (version 23) (Hayes, 2022). The findings show that Negative Life Events, Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Distress are interlinked with each other. According to the moderation analysis, Negative Life Events and Psychological Distress are moderated by Emotional Intelligence. Emotional intelligence can serve as a protective mechanism against Psychological Distress.
Keywords: Negative Life Events, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Distress, E-Cigarette Users