A study on Emotional Intelligence and its relation with Stress and Mental Health among University Students

Abstract

University life while often exciting, often comes with challenges such as academic pressures, social adjustments, and uncertainty about future careers. These factors often leading to elevated stress levels and compromised mental health. Identifying protective factors like emotional intelligence which includes the ability to recognize, manage and understand emotions has become extremely important. Stress refers to the psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges, while mental health reflects emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, stress, and mental health among university students. The study sampled 70 university students. Standardized psychological scales were administered to measure emotional intelligence, stress, and mental health levels. Results revealed that emotional intelligence was significantly positively correlated with mental health and negatively correlated with stress, while stress showed a significant negative relationship with mental health. These findings highlight the importance of fostering emotional intelligence in educational settings as a strategy to reduce stress and promote better mental health among students. Further interventions could include emotional intelligence training programs and stress management workshops to enhance resilience and psychological well-being.