Mediation of emotional intelligence in resilient coping and depression in adverse conditions: study in home confinement of the COVID-19 health crisis (Mediación de la inteligencia emocional en el afrontamiento resiliente y la depresión en condiciones adversas: estudio en confinamiento domiciliario durante la emergencia sanitaria COVID-19)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has caused home confinement for three months in Spain. That has had a negative psychological impact. This study aims to determine whether the relationship between resilient coping and depression is mediated by emotional intelligence. An online questionnaire was applied to 179 participants. A mediation analysis was conducted. The results reveal a more significant number of depressive symptoms in women than in men and higher levels of resilient coping in men. Younger participants showed more depressive symptoms than the rest of the analysed population. Finally, the results suggest that emotional intelligence might mediate the relationship between resilient coping and depression, particularly in the emotional clarity dimension. Conclusions: the skills involved in emotional intelligence, especially emotional clarity, may optimize the use of resilient coping strategies to face adversity.