The Effect of Trait Emotional Intelligenceon the Relationship Between Dispositional Mindfulness and Self-esteem

The objective of this study is to analyze the mediating effect of emotional intelligence (EI) on the relationship between mindfulness and self-esteem. A survey involving 234 subjects was based on self-administered questionnaires comprising the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale–Revised, Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results revealed that mindfulness was significantly and positively related to considerably high self-esteem, as well as to all four components and total scores of EI. Mediation analysis showed that the total EI scores and use of the emotion component of WLEIS partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and self-esteem. Findings of this study highlight the importance of EI in the mindfulness and self-esteem relationship, as well as explain a possible process by which mindfulness enhances self-esteem.