ScholarWorks@중앙대학교

초록

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the structural relationships among perceived stress, mental wellbeing, and emotional intelligence in employees who participate in physical exercise, and to verify the mediating effect of emotional intelligence. Method: A survey was conducted among 500 employees who regularly engaged in physical exercise. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 28 and AMOS 28, employing descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and mediation analysis via bootstrapping. Results: First, significant correlations were found among all the sub-variables. Eustress was positively correlated with emotional intelligence and mental well-being, whereas distress was negatively correlated with both. Second, the causal model involving perceived stress, emotional intelligence, and mental wellbeing was confirmed to have a good fit. Third, eustress had a positive effect on emotional intelligence and mental well-being, while distress had a negative effect. Fourth, emotional intelligence positively influenced mental well-being. Fifth, emotional intelligence fully mediated the relationship between perceived stress and mental well-being. Conclusion: Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in managing stress and enhancing employees’ mental well-being. It can be considered a fundamental component of human capital that contributes to improving both work efficiency and organizational performance. Therefore, organizations should provide educational and institutional support to develop and manage emotional intelligence. In addition, government attention and policy support are needed to promote employees’ mental health.

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