Sandoval Mejia, Kate

Title:
Coping Behaviors among Individuals with Low Emotional Intelligence

Abstract:
Our literature-based research reveals that the inability to regulate emotions effectively plays a leading role in poor coping mechanisms among substance users and people with eating disorders. Research also finds differences in coping mechanisms among females and males. Many college students experience stress, which increases the engagement in alcohol and vaping/ e-cigarette usage. Additionally, research shows a correlation between low emotional intelligence, emotional distress, and the development of maladaptive eating behaviors including restriction, binging, or purging of food. Lastly, males and females cope in different ways due to biological and environmental factors. Our research aims to examine how the inability to regulate emotions results from low emotional intelligence. Low EI increases susceptibility to unhealthy coping mechanisms