A Correlational Study of Emotional Intelligence, Trait Anxiety and Emotional Eating in Young Adults

Many people have adopted thoughtless behaviours as a result of the expanding hustle culture. An individual’s approach to eating, emotions, and concern or worry about the past and future are all intertwined. The study tries to investigate the relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Trait Anxiety and Emotional Eating in young adults between the age 18-25 years. The purpose of the study was to find a correlation between EI, trait anxiety and emotional eating. The data was collected from 91 individuals (27 Males, 64 Females). The analysis showed a significant negative correlation (r=-0.576**, p < 0.001) between Emotional Intelligence and Trait Anxiety. Sub-domain of EI, Managing Relations was negatively correlated with Emotional Eating ( r= -0.264*, p < 0.005). A significant positive correlation (r= 0.321**, p < 0.001) between Trait Anxiety and Emotional Eating was found. Analysis also showed that Trait anxiety has significant impact over EI. 12.74%-32.78% of the data had a few symptoms of emotional eating. The findings of the study have certain implications and can help in acting as a pre-requisite for eating disorders. Integration of more EI related activities in the form of interventions in schools and colleges that can indirectly improve Trait anxiety and Emotional eating can be inculcated. The hustle culture of the present generation requires multi-tasking & time management between all settings of life, where EI places a vital role, hence we should seek to improve EI.