Emotional intelligence, social problem solving, and demographics as predictors of well-being in women with multiple roles

This cross-sectional correlational study examined the relative importance of cognitive-affective variables, emotional intelligence and social problem solving, as compared to demographic and occupational factors in affecting multiple role strain and psychological well-being in women in their multiple roles of worker, spouse and mother. Emotional intelligence and social problem solving, unlike stable personality traits, are abilities with a level of plasticity, which therefore can be developed over time. The intrinsic or extrinsic motivation to work and its impact on well-being was also studied. In addition, exploratory analysis was conducted on associations between emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships and mothering.; It was hypothesized that the cognitive-affective variables, emotional intelligence and social problem solving, would be positively associated with psychological well-being, negatively associated with multiple role strain, and positively associated with each other. It was expected that the cognitive-affective variables would predict outcome over and above demographic and occupational factors, and that there might be interactions between person and environment variables in affecting psychological well-being.; The sample of working mothers was recruited across the United States from various companies and organizations through word-of-mouth and e-mail lists. The sample of 129 women were a group of mainly affluent, professional married women with an average work week of 43 hours, age of 39 years old, time in the workforce of 16.5 years, marriage of 10.3 years and motherhood of 6.7 years. Participants were mailed out self-report questionnaire packets and had to complete an online emotional intelligence test (MSCEIT).; Results showed that higher psychological well-being was related to higher social problem solving ability, lower multiple role strain and higher internal motivation to work. The structural factors of work emphasis and support in housework and childcare, as opposed to the cognitive-affective factors, were significant in predicting multiple role strain. Thus structural factors only affected psychological well-being indirectly, through their impact on multiple role strain. No relationships between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being nor social problem solving were found, likely due to measurement issues. Exploratory analysis revealed that emotional intelligence was positively associated with length of marriage and with feelings of being rewarded in the mother role.