Study links emotional intelligence to reduced social media addiction

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and problematic use of mobile social media among university students in China. Utilizing the I-PACE model, the researchers aimed to understand how emotional intelligence influences social media usage patterns, with a focus on the mediating effects of peer relationships and experiential avoidance.

The study involved 1,448 students from nine public universities across Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, and Kunming, recruited between May and October 2021. Participants completed several surveys, including the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Peer Relationship Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire Second Edition, and the Problematic Mobile Social Media Use Assessment Questionnaire.

Key findings revealed several correlations: emotional intelligence was negatively associated with both experiential avoidance and problematic mobile social media use, while positively linked to healthy peer relationships. This suggests that higher emotional intelligence lowers the likelihood of social media addiction and reduces tendencies for experiential avoidance. Furthermore, healthy peer relationships also correlated negatively with both experiential avoidance and problematic mobile social media use, indicating that supportive social connections may help mitigate social media-related issues.

Conversely, experiential avoidance—a tendency to avoid thoughts and feelings—was positively correlated with problematic mobile social media use. This finding highlights that individuals who struggle with managing their emotions may turn to social media as a coping mechanism, potentially leading to increased addiction.

Importantly, the study identified peer relationships and experiential avoidance as mediating factors. Emotional intelligence positively influences peer relationships, which subsequently leads to lower levels of experiential avoidance. This sequential mediation ultimately results in decreased problematic social media use. The researchers concluded that both peer relationships and experiential avoidance are shaped by emotional intelligence, which collectively impacts an individual’s social media engagement.

This research emphasizes the need for enhancing emotional intelligence among students to foster better peer relationships, reduce experiential avoidance, and ultimately lower the risk of social media addiction. With rising concerns regarding mental health issues linked to excessive social media use, these findings could inform future strategies for interventions aimed at improving emotional health and reducing online dependency.