This study examined the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (EI) and stress in 110 male employees. Particularly, the association between trait EI and perceived chronic stress, occupational stress, and the physiological stress response was examined. Trait EI, perceived chronic stress, and occupational stress levels were assessed via questionnaires. The physiological stress response was measured by means of salivary free cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) in response to the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. Consistent with previous findings, men with high trait EI showed significantly lower perceived chronic and occupational stress levels than men with low trait EI. However, men with high trait EI also showed significantly higher cortisol reactivity than their low trait EI counterparts. Similarly, HRV in men with high trait EI appeared to be lower than in men with low trait EI but HRV differences between groups were not significant. Our findings suggest that trait EI might play a critical role in the stress regulation process but due to the cross-sectional design of the study no causal conclusions can be drawn. Experimental studies need to explore further whether and how trait EI affects psychological and physiological stress responses.

中文翻译：

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男性高特质情商：对感知压力水平有益，但对急性压力源的生理反应不利？

本研究调查了 110 名男性员工的特质情商 (EI) 与压力之间的关系。特别地，研究了特质 EI 与感知的慢性压力、职业压力和生理压力反应之间的关联。通过问卷评估特质 EI、感知的慢性压力和职业压力水平。生理压力反应是通过唾液游离皮质醇和心率变异性 (HRV) 测量的，以响应 Trier 社会压力测试。与之前的研究结果一致，具有高特征 EI 的男性比具有低特征 EI 的男性表现出明显较低的慢性和职业压力水平。然而，具有高特征 EI 的男性也表现出比低特征 EI 的男性显着更高的皮质醇反应性。相似地，具有高特征 EI 的男性的 HRV 似乎低于具有低特征 EI 的男性，但各组之间的 HRV 差异不显着。我们的研究结果表明，特质 EI 可能在压力调节过程中发挥关键作用，但由于研究的横断面设计，无法得出因果结论。实验研究需要进一步探索特质 EI 是否以及如何影响心理和生理压力反应。