Massive review confirms the connection between emotional intelligence and human flourishing
A massive review of psychological research confirms that emotional intelligence is reliably linked to human flourishing. People with higher emotional intelligence tend to experience greater well-being, though the connection depends heavily on how these traits are measured.
A comprehensive review of psychological studies has found a strong link between emotional intelligence and human flourishing, which includes mental, physical, and workplace well-being. The research, published in the journal PNAS, analyzed data from over 3,000 studies involving more than one million participants from various cultures and age groups.
Emotional intelligence, the ability to navigate one's own feelings and those of others, was consistently associated with positive life outcomes, including better workplace leadership, job performance, and psychological adjustment. The effect appeared across different age groups and geographic regions, and was found to be as strongly linked to flourishing as the Big Five personality traits.
However, the strength of the association varied depending on the specific outcome being measured and the measurement method used. When researchers used self-report questionnaires to assess both emotional intelligence and life outcomes, the strongest link was observed. Objective performance tests showed a weaker connection. The study also revealed a negative relationship between emotional intelligence and a specific type of narcissism, while pathological narcissism was linked to lower emotional intelligence.
The variation in the association's strength underscores the importance of measurement methods in psychological research.
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