Trait emotional intelligence and goal self-integration: important predictors of emotional well-being?

Abstract

Personal goals vary in the extent to which they are integrated with core aspects of the self. Goal self-integration was measured by asking 95 students to rate their reasons for adopting eight personal strivings. In addition, the trait emotional intelligence (EI) and emotional well-being of participants was measured, in order to determine the influence of goal self-integration and trait EI on each individual’s sense of well-being. A correlational analysis indicated that individuals who report high levels of trait EI also construct more congruent, self-integrated personal goal systems. General linear modelling, however, indicated that global trait EI and goal self-integration were poor predictors of global emotional well-being. Despite this finding, two subscales: mood regulation (EI) and identified regulation (goal self-integration) were found to predict emotional well-being. This result indicated that emotional experience is influenced, in part, by one’s ability to regulate emotions and by establishing personal strivings that are congruent with core values or personal convictions. It is tentatively concluded that trait EI and goal self-integration are both related to emotional well-being, however, further research is needed to identify which of subcomponents has the greatest influence.