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Paper ID:IJSREM66979

Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood

Stream/Area:

-

Subject:

-

Paper ID:

IJSREM66979

Volume:

10 |

8 |

Aug 2026

Pages:

1-11

Publication Frequency:

Monthly (12 issues per year)

DOI
Digital Object Identifier
10.55041/IJSREM66979

License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.

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Authors

NN

NAJATH. N

Department of Psychology

University of Kerala

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DPS

Dr. Priyanka S.J

Department of Psychology

University of Kerala

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DAC

Dr. Archana Chandran

Department of Psychology

University of Kerala

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AJ

Alisha Jasseer

Department of Psychology

University of Calicut

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DCJ

Dr. C. Jayan

Department of Psychology

University of Calicut

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Abstract

Emerging adulthood involves rapid changes in education, identity, relationships, autonomy, and future roles. These transitions make adaptive emotional functioning particularly relevant to mental health. Emotional intelligence (EI) may support positive mental health by facilitating emotional awareness, understanding, regulation, interpersonal functioning, and coping. This study examined the association between EI and positive mental health among emerging adults and tested differences by age, sex, educational qualification, and place of residence. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with 200 emerging adults aged 18–25 years. Mental health was assessed using the Mental Health Status Scale and EI using the Emotional Intelligence Inventory. Pearson’s correlations and independent-samples t tests were used. The results show that EI was positively associated with mental health, r(198) = .323, p < .001. Participants aged 21–25 years reported higher mental health, t(198) = 2.00, p = .047, d = 0.28, and EI, t(198) = 3.21, p = .002, d = 0.46, than those aged 18–20 years. Postgraduates reported higher EI than undergraduates, t(198) = 2.08, p = .039, d = 0.30, but did not differ in mental health. Gender and residence differences were not significant. EI is a meaningful correlate of positive mental health in emerging adulthood. Modest age and educational differences suggest possible developmental and experiential contributions to emotional competencies; however, longitudinal and intervention research is required before causal conclusions are warranted.

KEYWORDS

Emotional intelligence positive mental health emerging adulthood young adults and university students

Cite This Article

NAJATH. N, Dr. Priyanka S.J, Dr. Archana Chandran, Alisha Jasseer, Dr. C. Jayan, "Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood," International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 1-11, Aug 2026. https://doi.org/10.55041/IJSREM66979

Full Article/Conclusion

Emotional intelligence is positively associated with positive mental health in emerging adults. Participants aged 21–25 years reported higher EI and slightly higher mental health than those aged 18–20 years, while postgraduates reported modestly higher EI than undergraduates did. Sex and place of residence were not significantly associated with either of the outcomes. The corrected statistical results provide a coherent evidence base and strengthen the internal rigor of this manuscript. EI appears to be a meaningful psychological correlate of adaptive functioning during emerging adulthood; however, its causal role remains unclear. With the verification of the original scale scoring, raw data analyses, and ethics documentation, this study can make a focused contribution to the literature on emotional competencies and mental health in an underrepresented cultural context.

References

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Publication Date

8/27/2026

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