Emotional intelligence and mental health of high-performance competitive sports coaches

The chain mediating role of coping styles and resilience

Bibliographic Data

ID22433560
AuthorsFang Wang (0000-0001-7353-9080, Chengdu Sport University), Fa Wang (0009-0006-0549-0557, Chengdu Sport University), Kerong Mou (0000-0002-7152-9900, Aba Teachers University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Publication date2026-07-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1894961
OpenAlexW7168143600
LanguageEN
References cited33

Objective To explore the relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health among high-performance competitive sports coaches, as well as the serial mediating effect of positive coping styles and resilience between the two variables, so as to provide a theoretical basis for improving coaches’ mental health. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 172 high-performance competitive sports coaches in Sichuan Province, China. Four measurement tools were adopted, including the Emotional Intelligence Scale, Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed via serial mediation analysis with Hayes’ PROCESS Macro Model 6. Results Mental health of high-performance competitive sports coaches was significantly negatively correlated with emotional intelligence ( r = −0.213) and resilience ( r = −0.402) ( p < 0.01), and significantly positively correlated with negative coping styles ( r = 0.356, p < 0.01). Emotional intelligence showed a significant positive correlation with positive coping styles ( r = 0.328) and resilience ( r = 0.437) ( p < 0.01). The mediation effect test indicated that three correlational indirect pathways linking emotional intelligence to mental health were identified in mediation models. Resilience exerted an independent mediating effect, and positive coping styles combined with resilience played a chain mediating effect. By contrast, the independent mediating effect of positive coping styles was not established, and the pathway from positive coping styles to mental health was statistically insignificant. Conclusion Coaches’ emotional intelligence can predict their mental health, and higher emotional intelligence corresponds to better mental health status. Resilience acts as an independent mediator between emotional intelligence and mental health. Positive coping styles and resilience jointly exert a chain mediating effect. Specifically, emotional intelligence is correlated with greater use of positive coping styles and higher resilience, and all three variables jointly display correlational links to better mental health status.

Checklist · Depressive symptoms · Emotional intelligence · Emotional Regulation · Mediation · Mental health · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Resilience and Mental Health · Sport Psychology and Performance

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access