Emotional intelligence as a mediator between anxious symptomatology and psychological well-being in bereaved persons
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21134/pssa.v13i1.10Keywords:
Duelo, Ansiedad, Bienestar psicológico, Inteligencia emocional, Bereavement, Anxiety, Psychological well-being, emotional intelligenceAbstract
Introduction. The loss of a loved one can lead to anxiety symptoms, which negatively affect people's well-being. However, appropriate emotional management plays a protective role against psychopathology and can increase psychological well-being (PWB). This study explores the mediating relationship of emotional attention, clarity and repair on the impact of anxiety on the PWB of people who have recently lost a relative.
Method. Validated scales were used to assess anxious symptomatology (DASS-21), emotional intelligence (TMMS-24), and PWB (Ryff) in a sample of 97 people with a mean age of 40.71 years (SD = 12.58), 79.40% of whom were women. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's bivariate correlations, and mediation analyses were performed.
Results. Moderate negative correlations were found between anxiety and PWB, and negative and moderate associations between anxiety and clarity and between anxiety and repair. Attention was positively related to anxiety. Full or partial mediating effects of components of emotional intelligence were found in the inverse relationships between anxiety and most dimensions of PWB.
Conclusions. These results reinforce the key role of emotional skills in alleviating the psychological pain of people who have experienced the death of a relative.
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