IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS IN FACULTY OF EDUCATION, ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, NDUFU ALIKE IKWO, EBONYI STATE
Abstract
This study investigated the relationships between emotional intelligence, social media use, and mental health outcomes among students in the Faculty of Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo. A descriptive correlational design was adopted, and data were collected from 60 students using a self-report questionnaire. The instrument was validated by experts and had a good reliability coefficient (Cronbach alpha = 0.82). The results showed a significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health outcomes (r = 0.65, p < 0.01). Social media use was found to influence mental health outcomes (β = 0.42, p < 0.01), and emotional intelligence played a significant role in this relationship (β = 0.38, p < 0.01).
