ROLE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING AND AGGRESSION IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the link among emotional intelligence, aggressive behaviors, and psychological well-being for undergraduate students. Four hypotheses were tested, namely that a relationship among psychological well-being, emotional intelligence, gender and aggression would be made. Three standardized questionnaires were completed by participants which included the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (Wong & Law, 2002), the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992), and the Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, 1989), to gauge emotional intelligence, aggression, happiness, and well-being respectively. Significant correlations in the form of Pearson product moment were noted in the emotional intelligence, aggression and psychological well-being but however, with a negative relation. Results indicated that young adult females possessed a greater amount of emotional intelligence than young adult males. Young females were additionally more aggressive than young males. In addition, the study indicated that women are psychologically well adjusted or happier while young men are less psychologically well-adjusted or happy. By furthering such knowledge, these findings indicate the need for gender differences on emotional intelligence, aggression and well-being in young adults.