EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, BODY IMAGE, AND CULTURE 1
The Cross-Cultural Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Body Image
Mandy Roosendaal, 2663488
Research Methods II
Niels Meijns, Group 36
Word count: 2639
24-05-2021
,EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, BODY IMAGE, AND CULTURE 2
Abstract
Previous research has shown that both emotional intelligence (EI) and culture have effects on
body image. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of culture on the
relationship between EI and body image. An online survey comprised of the Body Appreciation
Scale-2 (BAS-2) and the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) was used. The
results showed a significant and positive effect of EI on body image. However, culture did not
appear to affect the relationship between EI and body image. These findings suggest important
implications for the prevention of body dissatisfaction (BD) and eating disorders. However, more
research that considers the strengths and limitations of the current study is still needed to draw
more definitive conclusions.
Keywords: Emotional intelligence, body image, culture
, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, BODY IMAGE, AND CULTURE 3
The Cross-Cultural Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Body Image
Around 50% of U.S. citizens are experiencing body dissatisfaction (BD) (Gallivan,
2014). Mountford and Koskina (2015) define BD as a subjectively negative evaluation of one’s
body. They define body image as the way one perceives their own body and the attitudes they
hold towards it. This especially, but not exclusively, includes one’s physical appearance.
According to Mellor et al. (2010), BD significantly lowers feelings of self-worth in both men and
women. They also state that feelings of BD may lead to body image disturbances. Mountford and
Koskina (2015) state that people who experience body image disturbances experience their body
shape and weight in a way that does not reflect reality. Furthermore, Marco et al. (2013) explain
that these body image disturbances significantly predict and maintain several different eating
disorders.
Mayer et al. (2011) explain that the ability to understand and manage one’s own as well
as other people’s emotional experiences is referred to as emotional intelligence (EI). However,
this is just one example because, as Petrides et al. (2004) state, EI is a complicated concept with
many definitions. In the current study, EI is operationalised according to the four-branch ability
model of EI by Mayer and Salovey (1997) on which the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence
Scale (WLEIS) is based according to Libbrecht et al. (2014). The definition of EI proposed by
this model is that EI is comprised of four fundamental and intercorrelated abilities: the
expression and perception of emotion, the use of emotion to facilitate thinking, the management
of emotion in oneself and others, and the understanding of emotion. Previous research has
already shown that the concept of EI is positively associated with body image. One example of
such previous research is the study by Pollatos et al. (2020). They used self-report questionnaires
to assess EI and BD, and parental reports to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 991
The Cross-Cultural Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Body Image
Mandy Roosendaal, 2663488
Research Methods II
Niels Meijns, Group 36
Word count: 2639
24-05-2021
,EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, BODY IMAGE, AND CULTURE 2
Abstract
Previous research has shown that both emotional intelligence (EI) and culture have effects on
body image. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of culture on the
relationship between EI and body image. An online survey comprised of the Body Appreciation
Scale-2 (BAS-2) and the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) was used. The
results showed a significant and positive effect of EI on body image. However, culture did not
appear to affect the relationship between EI and body image. These findings suggest important
implications for the prevention of body dissatisfaction (BD) and eating disorders. However, more
research that considers the strengths and limitations of the current study is still needed to draw
more definitive conclusions.
Keywords: Emotional intelligence, body image, culture
, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, BODY IMAGE, AND CULTURE 3
The Cross-Cultural Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Body Image
Around 50% of U.S. citizens are experiencing body dissatisfaction (BD) (Gallivan,
2014). Mountford and Koskina (2015) define BD as a subjectively negative evaluation of one’s
body. They define body image as the way one perceives their own body and the attitudes they
hold towards it. This especially, but not exclusively, includes one’s physical appearance.
According to Mellor et al. (2010), BD significantly lowers feelings of self-worth in both men and
women. They also state that feelings of BD may lead to body image disturbances. Mountford and
Koskina (2015) state that people who experience body image disturbances experience their body
shape and weight in a way that does not reflect reality. Furthermore, Marco et al. (2013) explain
that these body image disturbances significantly predict and maintain several different eating
disorders.
Mayer et al. (2011) explain that the ability to understand and manage one’s own as well
as other people’s emotional experiences is referred to as emotional intelligence (EI). However,
this is just one example because, as Petrides et al. (2004) state, EI is a complicated concept with
many definitions. In the current study, EI is operationalised according to the four-branch ability
model of EI by Mayer and Salovey (1997) on which the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence
Scale (WLEIS) is based according to Libbrecht et al. (2014). The definition of EI proposed by
this model is that EI is comprised of four fundamental and intercorrelated abilities: the
expression and perception of emotion, the use of emotion to facilitate thinking, the management
of emotion in oneself and others, and the understanding of emotion. Previous research has
already shown that the concept of EI is positively associated with body image. One example of
such previous research is the study by Pollatos et al. (2020). They used self-report questionnaires
to assess EI and BD, and parental reports to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 991
