The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Emotion Regulation: A Meta-Analysis

Emotional intelligence (EI) reflects individuals’ capacities, whereas emotion regulation involves the behaviours people use to manage emotions. This meta-analysis (n = 115 studies, k = 923 effects) examined associations between EI and 20 common regulation processes, considering three major EI streams and four ability branches. EI was positively associated with putatively adaptive processes (direct situation modification, positive reappraisal, deep acting, seeking help), negatively associated with putatively maladaptive processes (avoidance, denial, surface acting, catastrophizing, self-blame, expressive suppression, substance use), and positively associated with religious coping and humor. EI stream moderated effects for direct situation modification, acceptance, positive reappraisal, distraction, and seeking help (weaker for ability EI than other streams; weaker for mixed EI than self-rated EI). EI branch moderated associations of ability EI with direct situation modification and seeking help, with stronger effects for emotion management. Overall, findings indicate that emotionally intelligent individuals primarily regulate emotions by addressing problems (direct modification, seeking help) or reframing situations (positive reappraisal), reflecting a tendency to use engagement rather than disengagement regulation processes. Test format (ability vs. rating scale) and theoretical model (ability vs. mixed) significantly influenced effect sizes. This meta-analysis advances understanding of emotion regulation as a key pathway linking EI to positive outcomes.