The moderating role of age and gender in the relationship between emotional intelligence and fear of being single in students

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 PhD Student in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 P. PhD in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Worrying about not getting married and ending up in absolute being single has led to the emergence of a psychological problem called the fear of being single. The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of age and gender in the relationship between emotional intelligence and the fear of being single in college students. The study was conducted using a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included all students of the University of Tehran in the academic year 2019-2020. A total of 415 people were selected as the sample using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tools included Spielman’s Fear of Being Single Scale (FOBS) (2013) and Bar-On’s Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) (1997), which were distributed and completed online. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Hayes’ adjustment method with SPSS-25 software. The results of statistical analysis showed that age moderates the relationship between emotional intelligence and the fear of being single. However, gender does not play a moderating role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and the fear of being single. According to the results of the present study, the relationship between emotional intelligence and the fear of being single is more than a simple linear relationship, and it is possible to take steps to prevent and treat the fear of being single by developing programs and interventions based on strengthening emotional intelligence.
 

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