The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Predicting Loneliness with the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion among Emerging Adults

Year 2026, Volume: 16 Issue: 80, 88 - 98, 27.03.2026

Ali Karababa

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1661636

https://izlik.org/JA49ZY65NX

Abstract

Loneliness is harmful to both mental and physical well-being. Loneliness is prevalent in emerging adulthood. Hence, there is a need to understand the mechanisms underlying loneliness in emerging adulthood. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the direct connections between emotional intelligence, self-compassion, and loneliness among emerging adults in Türkiye. Additionally, it investigates the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between emotional intelligence and loneliness. The cross-sectional study includes 364 participants (250 females and 114 males) aged 18–29 years (M = 20.00, SD = 1.97), who completed the measures of emotional intelligence, self-compassion, and loneliness, as well as a demographic questionnaire. First, the study findings demonstrate the significant direct relationships between emotional intelligence, self-compassion, and loneliness. The results then show that self-compassion mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and loneliness. Specifically, emerging adults with higher emotional intelligence report greater self-compassion, which, in turn, leads to decreased feelings of loneliness. The practical and theoretical implications, as well as the limitations of the current study, are discussed.

Keywords

Emotional intelligence , self-compassion , loneliness , emerging adulthood

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