FROM EMOTION TO ENDURANCE: THE ROLE OF COPING STYLES IN LINKING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TO FRUSTRATION TOLERANCE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), coping styles, and frustration tolerance (FT) in young adults. It was hypothesized that EI correlates significantly with emotion-focused coping (EFC), problem-focused coping (PFC), and avoidance coping (AC), and FT. A sample of 300 young adults (146 males, 154 females) from Sialkot’s universities participated. Data was collected using a self-developed demographic sheet, Emotional intelligence Scale (WLEIS-U) (Zahra et al., 2020), Brief-Coping Inventory (Nisa & Siddiqui, 2020) and Indigenous Frustration Scale (Zaka et al., 2021) were used. Analysis revealed positive relationships between EI and PFC (r=.499**, **p<0.01) and EFC (r=.357**, **p<0.01), while no significant correlation with AC (r=.077, p>0.05). EI also correlated positively with FT (r=.094, **p<0.01). Regression analysis showed PFC (B = .153, p < .001) and EFC (B= .088, p< .001) as significant predictors, while AC (B= .023, p<.181) and FT (B= .106, p< .103) were not significant predictors of the outcome variable.

Implication of Study: Findings of the study provide knowledge about EI and its impact on coping styles and FT among young adults. The study has positive implication for young adults, mental health professional and researchers to provide psycho education in these areas.