Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship Between Resilience and Academic Engagement in Adolescents: Differences Between Men and Women

INTRODUCTION: Resilience and academic engagement have become some of the most important elements in the academic context, due to their relationships with school adjustment, the protective role against risky behaviors and the well-being of adolescents. PURPOSE: Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the relationships established between the variables of resilience and academic engagement, the differences according to sex, as well as to determine the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between resilience and academic engagement in adolescence. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. The sample consisted of 802 secondary school students, with an average age of 13.65 years (SD = 1.24) (where 50.6% were women and 49.4% men) who filled out the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10), the General Academic Engagement Scale for Spanish Adolescents (CAADE) and the Spanish version of the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS-S). RESULTS: The results showed the existence of positive relationships between resilience and factors of academic engagement. Furthermore, the mediation models showed the direct effect of emotional intelligence on this relationship. On the other hand, with respect to sex, men showed significantly higher averages in resilience and emotional intelligence, with no significant differences in the variable of academic engagement. CONCLUSION: Concluding, design of emotional intelligence intervention programs in secondary is recommended as an effective measure for promoting resilience and a positive academic trajectory.