The Triadic Relationship of Loneliness, Belongingness and Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that a relationship exists between loneliness, belongingness, and emotional intelligence. However, as of yet, there has not been a study that focuses on the potential reciprocal relationship between these three variables over time. I predicted that high levels of loneliness would lead to decreased levels of emotional intelligence and belongingness over time, that high levels of emotional intelligence would lead to decreased loneliness and increased belongingness over time, and that high levels of belongingness would lead to decreased loneliness and increased emotional intelligence over time. Of the 125 university undergraduate students who participated, 38 participated at both test times. At each test time, one in the fall and one in the winter semester, the participants completed loneliness, belongingness, emotional intelligence, and demographic inventories. Data analysis supported a strong correlation between loneliness, belongingness, and emotional intelligence, but the findings did not support the reciprocal relationship that I had predicted would exist between the three variables. More research should be carried out in order to examine the interaction between these variables while making use of a larger sample size.