The association of ability and trait emotional intelligence with alcohol problems

Ability and trait emotional intelligence may be complimentary dimensions of adaptive emotional functioning. Some previous research links both low ability and low trait emotional intelligence with more alcohol problems. A dimensional model of adaptive emotional functioning proposes that higher levels of ability emotional intelligence may predispose individuals to display emotionally intelligent characteristics more often, resulting in higher trait emotional intelligence, and more adaptive functioning. This model suggests that trait emotional intelligence might mediate between ability emotional intelligence and alcohol outcomes. This study investigated (1) whether ability and trait emotional intelligence are related to heavy episodic drinking (binge drinking) and to alcohol-related problems and (2) whether trait emotional intelligence mediates between ability emotional intelligence and alcohol outcomes. One hundred Australian participants completed measures of ability and trait emotional intelligence, heavy episodic drinking, and experience of alcohol-related problems. Both lower ability and lower trait emotional intelligence were associated with more heavy episodic drinking and more alcohol-related problems. Trait emotional intelligence mediated significantly between ability emotional intelligence and both alcohol problems and heavy episodic drinking. These findings provide information regarding the relationship between ability and trait aspects of emotional intelligence and suggest that emotional intelligence holds promise in facilitating the understanding of problem drinking.