The relationship between emotional intelligence and abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco among college students

In this study, the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use was examined. Researchers have studied substance abuse in young adults, but little research has been conducted to examine the role of the EI as a contributing factor. Previous researchers showed that high EI scores influence mood, self-esteem, and ability to ward off risky behaviors. This study utilized correlation analyses to explore the relationship between the constructs of EI and the use of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco among a college student sample (N = 199). EI encompasses a set of abilities (perception, utilization, understanding, and regulation emotions) that were measured in college students, ages 18 to 20, who completed the Schutte Self Report Inventory (SSRI), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and the Marijuana Screening Inventory (MSI). Based on the EI construct, 7 hypotheses were generated and tested by means of multiple regression that involved EI scores as predictors of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use scores, as measured by the AUDIT, FTND, and MSI. The results demonstrated that EI constructs (Perception, Utilization, Regulation, and Management of Emotion scores) were significant predictors of alcohol and marijuana use. An association between the EI constructs and cigarette smoking was not supported by this study. This study adds to the existing knowledge of the role of EI as a predictor of risky behaviors of alcohol and marijuana use. Individuals with high EI have capacity for positive decision-making adding value to the need for nurturing and strengthening EI as a protective factor among college students to prevent and mitigate substance use thus improving public health.