The moderating effect of emotional intelligence on the relationship between social media addiction and depressive symptons

• Grant number: 24/15215-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Cognitive Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Monalisa Muniz Nascimento
• Grantee: Lorena Franklin Mayrink Nogueira
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI), or the ability to analyze emotions and feelings in ourselves and others, as well as use them to guide actions and thoughts according to the environment, is an important psychological construct for human beings and their relationships. It has been studied with various variables in recent years. It is possible that EI may either intensify or reduce the relationship between social media addiction and depressive symptoms, however, research in this area is still scarce to confirm such a hypothesis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the moderating effect of EI on the relationship between the two variables. Approximately 200 adults, aged 18 to 60, who use at least one social media platform, will participate in the research. They will be invited to complete an online questionnaire consisting of three instruments: one related to emotional intelligence, one related to depressive symptons, and one related to social media addiction. Finally, there will be a sample characterization questionnaire. After data collection, the data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statical procedures.