Too Intelligent for Stress? Associations Between Stress and Emotional Intelligence, Emotion Regulation and Personality in University Students

Abstract

This study examined the correlation between stress and emotion intelligence, emotion regulation and personality in a group of over 200 students. Gender differences in these variables were examined, as were differences between the groups who had and did not have a part-time job whilst studying at university. The latter was examined for a positive relationship with emotional intelligence and emotion regulation, on the prediction that high emotional intelligence and emotion regulation would be advantageous when handling additional stress. Participants completed an online questionnaire which tested for the above variables. The results showed that stress levels were affected by emotional intelligence. Emotional stability, conscientiousness and surgency from personality were further factors contributing to stress levels. A significant effect of gender was also found. Total score emotion regulation did not appear to influence stress, but most sub-factors had significant correlations. Together these findings suggest that emotional intelligence, certain aspects of personality and gender all contribute to how a person deals with stress, and that particular features of regulation of emotion may be able to affect overall stress levels.