An exploratory study on emotional intelligence and life satisfaction among university students

Abstract

Intensifying stress, depression, and suicidal attempts among youth in Malaysia have raised the attention of scholars into research on life satisfaction. The number of mental illnesses among Malaysian youth has dramatically increased where National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 has discovered almost 500,000 adolescents in Malaysia, experiencing mental health illnesses. Moreover, the pandemic COVID-19 has invoked feelings of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety among students. Emotional Intelligence is regarded as an important trait that may influence the quality of student life. Therefore, this study is conducted to examine the ability of emotional intelligence towards improving student’s life satisfaction. This study has adopted a cross-sectional online-based survey design towards 200 public university students. Emotional intelligence is measured based on Mayer, Caruso, and Salovey trait abilities, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale was referred for measuring life satisfaction. The final data of 150 Malaysian public university students are analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression analysis was used to develop predictive models of life satisfaction. The results indicated that emotional intelligence traits (i.e., perceiving emotion, using emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions) significantly influence students’ life satisfaction. Managing emotion also acts as the most significant predictor. Thus, constructive actions need to be taken to improve students’ emotional intelligence traits. Implications for practice and future study are deliberated accordingly.