Emotional Intelligence as A Moderator Between Personality Traits and Mental Health Issues Among Undergraduates

Abstract: This study aimed to explore the moderating role of emotional intelligence between personality traits and mental health issues (depression, anxiety, and stress) among university students in Bangladesh. A total of 302 students (151 males, 151 females) from Gopalganj Science and Technology University participated using a convenience sampling method. A cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected using the Bangla versions of the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10), the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Correlational analysis revealed that personality traits and EI were significantly associated with mental health variables. Specifically, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and EI were negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress, while neuroticism showed positive correlations. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that personality traits significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and stress. Adding EI increased explained variance across all outcomes, and interaction terms revealed that EI significantly moderated the relationships between certain personality traits and mental health. Notably, interactions between EI and conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism significantly influenced depression; EI with extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness influenced anxiety; and EI with extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism influenced stress. These findings suggest that emotional intelligence serves as a protective factor, buffering the impact of certain personality traits on mental health outcomes. The study highlights the importance of integrating personality and emotional skills into mental health support strategies for young adults.

personality traits, emotional intelligence, depression, anxiety, stress

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