Editorial: Break the mental health stigma: the role of emotional intelligence

Abstract

Editorial on the Research TopicBreak the mental health stigma: the role of emotional intelligenceThe Research Topic "Break the mental health stigma: the role of emotional intelligence" endeavours to contribute to the understanding of potential links between emotional intelligence (EI) and mental health stigma. Research findings will inform policymaking, public health, and clinical best practices. Understanding emotions is a fundamental complement to emotional competence, which according to theoretical assumptions is a predictor of social adjustment and mental health. This leads to a positive association between high levels of EI and mental health (1). Emotions are fundamental in the daily lives of individuals, aiding in decision-making and adaptive responses to various adversities. They also play an important role in helping to preserve social well-being and emotional/ subjective well-being. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that online EI training is effective at sustaining critical aspects of mental health during a subsequent real-life crisis (2). Knowing how to manage emotions allows individuals to identify their affective states and adjust their reactions, action, thought, and behaviour to adaptively deal with emotional experiences. An individual's ability to express, self-regulate, and understand emotions is called emotional competence. Conversely, suppressing or denying emotions negatively influences mental health (3). As both constructs, emotions, and well-being, are related, people with a high tendency to suppress/deny emotions tend to present low levels of subjective well-being. EI also plays a significant role in the development of psychosomatic symptoms and disorders when somatic health is related to emotional regulation and general mental health.The evidence provides a well-documented connection between EI and psychopathologies including depression, stress, and anxiety (4). These conditions are characterized by negative attributions, unpleasant cognitions, and self-stigma. An elevated degree of EI can safeguard against depressive situations by enhancing the recognition of emotions, identifying unpleasant moods, and fostering overall life contentment (1, 5). Research also suggests that individuals with strong emotional abilities are less susceptible to mental health issues, leading to an improved quality of life, well-being, and enhanced sense of belonging (5,6). EI is a beneficial psychological trait that facilitates the establishment of a balance between challenging life circumstances Frontiers in Psychiatry frontiersin.org 01