Addiction Research and Theory, June 2011; 19(3): 260–265 Copyright ß 2011 Informa UK Ltd. ISSN: 1606-6359 print/1476-7392 online DOI: 10.3109/16066359.2010.512108 The association of ability and trait emotional intelligence with alcohol problems Nicola S. Schutte, John M. Malouff, & Donald W. Hine School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia (Received 29 April 2010; revised 15 July 2010; accepted 16 July 2010) Ability and trait emotional intelligence may be complimentary dimensions of adaptive emotional functioning. Some previous research links both low ability and low trait emotional intelligence with more alcohol problems. A dimensional model of adaptive emotional functioning proposes that higher levels of ability emotional intelligence may predis- pose individuals to display emotionally intelligent characteristics more often, resulting in higher trait emotional intelligence, and more adaptive function- ing. This model suggests that trait emotional intel- ligence might mediate between ability emotional intelligence and alcohol outcomes. This study investigated (1) whether ability and trait emotional intelligence are related to heavy episodic drinking (binge drinking) and to alcohol-related problems and (2) whether trait emotional intelligence mediates between ability emotional intelligence and alcohol outcomes. One hundred Australian participants completed measures of ability and trait emotional intelligence, heavy episodic drinking, and experience of alcohol-related problems. Both lower ability and lower trait emotional intelligence were associated with more heavy episodic drinking and more alcohol-related problems. Trait emotional intelli- gence mediated significantly between ability emo- tional intelligence and both alcohol problems and heavy episodic drinking. These findings provide information regarding the relationship between ability and trait aspects of emotional intelligence and suggest that emotional intelligence holds promise in facilitating the understanding of problem drinking. Keywords: Emotional intelligence, alcohol INTRODUCTION The study of emotional intelligence has focused on operationalizing the nature of adaptive emotional functioning and identifying outcomes that are associ- ated with adaptive emotional functioning. Salovey and Grewal (2005) described emotional intelligence as resulting from interactions between an individual’s emotions and cognitions that lead to adaptive func- tioning. Models of emotional intelligence generally include perception, understanding and managing emo- tions in the self and others as components of emotional intelligence (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004), and hold that the integration of these characteristics com- prises a stable individual-difference characteristic. Some conceptualizations add characteristics, such as social competencies, that may build on emotional competencies; Mayer, Roberts, and Barsade (2008) termed such conceptualizations ‘‘mixed models.’’ Mayer et al. (2004) argued that emotional intelli- gence is best conceived of as an ability, similar in nature, to cognitive intelligence. The ability conceptu- alization implies that emotional intelligence consists of latent functions that may or may not manifest themselves in daily life. Other theorists and researchers (Neubauer & Freudenthaler, 2005; Petrides & Furnham, 2003) pointed out that emotional intelligence can also be defined and measured as typical (or trait) functioning. Assessment of trait emotional intelligence generally focuses on self-reported behavioral disposi- tions and self-perceived competencies. Assessment of ability emotional intelligence focuses on measurement via maximum-performance tests similar in nature to cognitive intelligence tests. Trait and ability measures tend to share moderate variance (Brackett & Mayer, 2003; Mayer et al., 2008). Correspondence: Nicola S. Schutte, School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Tel: 61 2 67733779. Fax: 61 2 6773 3779. E-mail: nschutte@une.edu.au 260 Addict Res Theory Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Nicole Harpole on 02/29/12 For personal use only.