Relationships between emotional intelligence and mental state in youth forum participants with different levels of social anxiety

Introduction. Cost, ease of access, security measures, and the target audience determine successful events. Furthermore, this latter factor significantly influences the overall atmosphere and the nature of interactions. Aim: to identify the relationship between emotional intelligence and mental state in youth forum participants categorized by levels of social anxiety. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 72 participants (59 females, 13 males) aged 33.1 ± 10.2 years attending the “Student Tourism UFA-2024” forum. The study promotes a mixed-methods approach, combining three primary assessment tools: the social anxiety and social phobia questionnaire, the EmIn questionnaire (short form), and the assessment of mental activation, interest, emotional tone, stress, and comfort methodology. Respondents were allocated into groups based on their scores on the “Social anxiety in situations involving being the center of attention” scale (medium, elevated, high severity). Statistical tests, including Shapiro–Wilk, Kruskall–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney, were conducted. Spearman's rank-order correlation analysis was applied. Results. Interpersonal emotional intelligence in individuals with average social anxiety levels shows negative correlations with rumination, emotional tone, interest, and contact avoidance. For individuals with increased social anxiety, emotional intelligence encompasses both interpersonal (managing others’ emotions) and intrapersonal (understanding one's emotions) components, associated mainly with social anxiety caused by contact avoidance. In the high social anxiety group, significant relationships between social anxiety and both EmIn components (intrapersonal and interpersonal) were observed. Emotion restraint and post-situational rumination are associated with intrapersonal emotional intelligence. Initiating action, resulting in fear of criticism and loss of personal control, is the predominant type of anxiety. This anxiety is exacerbated by positive correlations with parameters representing current mental state, including interest, emotional tone, and comfort. Conclusion. This study contributes to EI-based technologies targeting social anxiety in non-clinical populations.