Data-Cybervictimization, TEI & Suicide

Cybervictimization has been linked to various forms of psychological maladjustment, including depression and suicide. Researchers have examined whether emotional intelligence (EI) may attenuate the impact of cybervictimization upon depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behavior. Many research studies regarding the possible buffering effect of EI have involved ability EI (AEI), which is a grouping of mental abilities in emotional functioning (e.g., emotion perception), in contrast to trait emotional intelligence (TEI) in which EI is characterized as a cluster of emotional competencies and qualities, and is referred to by some as a personality trait referred to as emotional self-efficacy. The purpose of the study is to determine whether TEI has a buffering effect on depression and suicidal ideation for US college students who have experienced cybervictimization. Within the sample of 891 college students (76% female; 89.8% Caucasian), cybervictimization explained a meaningful amount of variance in predicting suicide, whereas depression and TEI did account for much of the variance in their relationship with suicidal ideation. The results suggest that TEI may not be worthy of intervention and prevention for programs that seek to reduce suicidal ideation among college students.