Emotional intelligence and resilience

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and the stress process. Participants (N = 126) completed an ability-based measure of EI and then engaged with two stressors. We assessed stressor appraisals, emotions, and physiological stress responses over time. We expected that higher EI would facilitate stress responses in the direction of challenge, rather than threat. As expected, EI facets were related to lower threat appraisals, more modest declines in positive affect, less negative affect and challenge physiological responses to stress. However, findings differed for men and women. This study provides predictive validity that EI facilitates stress resilience.