Exploring the Relationship of Emotional Intelligence with Mental Health among Early Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigates the link of emotional intelligence (EI), with mental health scales and sub-scales (somatic
symptom, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression) in Iranian high schools students. The data was made up of
247 high school students of 8 schools (124 Boy and 123 Girl). The research design was a quantitative and tests
of alternative hypotheses. This study utilized General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to measure mental health
scales and sub-scales and Emotional Quotient Inventory, Youth Version (EQ-I YV) to assess emotional
intelligence. Data analysis included frequencies, percentages, means scores, Pearson’s correlation and, simple
regression analysis. The results of this study support the hypothesis that is a significant relationship of emotional
intelligence with mental health scales and sub-scales scores. In addition, this study revealed that mental health
scales and sub-scales scores influences by emotional intelligence.