Low emotional intelligence and maladaptive perfectionism

Emotional intelligence (EI) and maladaptive perfectionism have direct links to the development of psychopathology, but the exact relations are unclear (Mikolajczak, Luminet, Leroy & Roy, 2007). The current study examined the relationship between EI and perfectionism, especially low EI and high maladaptive perfectionism, and their affect on psychopathology. Fifty one males and 92 females (N = 143) completed the brief Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Petrides & Furnham, 2006), the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost, Marten, Lahart & Rosenblate, 1990), and the short version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Subjects were placed in a low or high group using the emotional intelligence score. Low emotional intelligence was found to be directly related to maladaptive perfectionism. In line with earlier research on EI and maladaptive perfectionism, the low EI group in comparison with the high EI group reported significantly higher instances of depression, anxiety, stress. Findings from the current study have broad implications for education, family and clinical counselling, employment screening, and workplace mental health issues.