The relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and mental health in executives and middle managers: the role of perceived stress as a mediator

Scientific literature has highlighted the role Perceived Emotional Intelligence (PEI) plays on levels of mental health and perceived stress among workers. This paper proposes the potential mediating role of perceived stress levels in the PEI-mental health relationship. Self-report measures were applied to evaluate the PEI, perceived stress and mental health of 110 executives and middle managers. The PEI was associated with lower levels of perceived stress and higher mental health in managers and middle managers. Mediational analyses showed that the relationship between emotional clarity and mental health was not direct, but rather took place depending on the levels of perceived stress; at the same time these perceived stress levels partially mediated the relationship between emotional repair and mental health. Thus, perceived stress may help to explain the effect that perceived emotional skills have on mental health.