Interrelation of emotional intelligence and cognitive regulation of emotions in late adolescence

Combined study of emotional intelligence and emotional regulation allows us to obtain information not only about individual differences in the understanding and management of emotions but also about the cognitive processes by which regulation is carried out. Emotion management becomes especially relevant in adolescence, as this age is characterized by emotional vulnerability and risk of deviant behavior. This study deals with the abilities being part of emotional intelligence in their relation to the cognitive components of emotional regulation, namely, the ways and strategies of response that prevail in the behavior of adolescents. The study involved 72 respondents aged 14-16 years. The results showed the specificity of cognitive regulation of emotions and emotional intelligence in older adolescents. The group of respondents with high emotional intelligence more often employ effective strategies for regulating emotions, while the rates of using destructive strategies decrease. Participants with low emotional intelligence use effective and destructive strategies almost equally. Those participants who effectively manage their emotions most often use strategies such as creating a positive meaning for the event or switching to more pleasant thoughts. Destructive strategies for regulating emotions have a negative relationship with emotional intelligence: the greatest number of correlations was revealed for the strategies «Catastrophizing» and «Rumination», also associated with depression. The results obtained clarify the specific features of the relationship between cognitive regulation of emotions and emotional intelligence in older adolescents, and also allow us to describe the contribution of these abilities to the formation of the psychological well-being.