Investigating the Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Esteem in Psychological Well-Being among Emerging Adults

Understanding the factors contributing to psychological well-being during emerging adulthood is essential, as this life stage involves significant emotional and identity-related development. Emotional intelligence and self-esteem are known to influence mental health individually; however, their combined impact and interaction with demographic variables remain underexplored. This study aims to examine the predictive role of emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and some demographic variables (age, gender, and socio-economic status) on the psychological well-being of emerging adults. This study was conducted with 347 emerging adults, including 190 females, 122 males, and 35 individuals who identified as other gender. The mean age of participants was 23.5 years. Participants completed the Demographic Information Form, Emotional Intelligence Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Psychological Well-being Scale. The results indicated that emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and higher socio-economic status are significant predictors of psychological well-being among emerging adults in Turkish society. These findings suggest that individuals with higher emotional intelligence, a stronger sense of self-esteem, and greater economic resources tend to experience better mental health during this critical life stage. It is recommended to implement psychoeducational programs focused on enhancing emotional intelligence and self-esteem among university youth. Further research is encouraged to explore these variables more deeply across diverse cultural contexts.