Abstract
In this study, we assessed cross-cultural differences in the extent to which general emotional intelligence is linked to life
satisfaction and analyzed mediators of this relationship. We used data from an individualistic culture (Germany) and a collectivistic
culture (India) and had university students respond to self-report measures of life satisfaction, positive and negative affect,
emotional intelligence, perceived social support, and independent and interdependent self-construals. In line with our hypotheses,
we found that Indian students reported less subjective well-being and emotional intelligence than German students. Emotional
intelligence was associated with life satisfaction to a higher degree in Germany than in India. In Germany, independent but
not interdependent self-construal was related to emotional intelligence; in India, both independent and interdependent self-construals
were significantly associated with emotional intelligence. Results of structural equation modeling provided support for our
hypotheses regarding mediational models in that the effect of emotional intelligence on life satisfaction was fully mediated
by affect balance in Germany and by perceived social support in India.
satisfaction and analyzed mediators of this relationship. We used data from an individualistic culture (Germany) and a collectivistic
culture (India) and had university students respond to self-report measures of life satisfaction, positive and negative affect,
emotional intelligence, perceived social support, and independent and interdependent self-construals. In line with our hypotheses,
we found that Indian students reported less subjective well-being and emotional intelligence than German students. Emotional
intelligence was associated with life satisfaction to a higher degree in Germany than in India. In Germany, independent but
not interdependent self-construal was related to emotional intelligence; in India, both independent and interdependent self-construals
were significantly associated with emotional intelligence. Results of structural equation modeling provided support for our
hypotheses regarding mediational models in that the effect of emotional intelligence on life satisfaction was fully mediated
by affect balance in Germany and by perceived social support in India.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-011-9315-1
- Authors
- Selda Koydemir, Department of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Wilhelm-Raabe Str. 43, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
- Ömer Faruk Şimşek, Department of Psychology, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey
- Astrid Schütz, Department of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Wilhelm-Raabe Str. 43, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
- Arun Tipandjan, Department of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Wilhelm-Raabe Str. 43, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978