Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Well-being in Adolescents

The present study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being among adolescents. Adolescence represents a critical developmental period characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes, making emotional competence an essential factor for healthy adjustment. Using a sample of adolescents selected through simple random sampling from different localities of Kerala, the study assessed emotional intelligence and psychological wellbeing using standardized instruments. Emotional intelligence was measured using the Emotional Intelligence Scale developed by Dr. Sheetla Prasad, while psychological well-being was assessed using the Affect Balance Scale. Statistical analyses included t-tests to examine gender differences and Pearson’s product–moment correlation to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being. The findings revealed no significant gender differences in emotional intelligence or psychological well-being. However, a positive, though low, correlation was found between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being (r = 0.19), indicating that adolescents with higher emotional intelligence tend to experience better psychological well-being. The results highlight the importance of emotional intelligence as a contributory factor to adolescent well-being and underscore the need for emotional skill development during this critical stage of life