EMOTIONAL REGULATION, RELATIONSHIPS, AND ADAPTATION IN EMERGING ADULTHOOD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/psy-visnyk/2025.4.16Keywords:
emerging adulthood, emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, psychological well-being, resilience, interpersonal relationshipsAbstract
Emerging adulthood, typically defined as the period between ages 18 and 25, constitutes a critical phase of psychological and social development characterized by identity exploration, instability, and increasing autonomy. During this transition from adolescence to adulthood, individuals encounter significant emotional, relational, and contextual challenges that require sophisticated self-regulatory capacities. The article examines the role of emotional intelligence – particularly emotional regulation – in facilitating adaptation, resilience, and interpersonal competence during emerging adulthood.Drawing upon theoretical models of emotional intelligence and emotion regulation, the study conceptualizes emotional regulation as a multidimensional process comprising intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual domains. These capacities enable individuals to manage internal affective states, negotiate emotions within social interactions, and adjust to the demands of new environments such as higher education, workplaces, and intimate relationships. Existing empirical research demonstrates that high emotional intelligence predicts greater psychological well-being, lower stress and anxiety, improved relationship quality, and stronger professional adaptation. The article further explores how emotionally intelligent coping strategies – such as reappraisal, empathy, and social support seeking – foster resilience and post-adversity growth.In educational and organizational contexts, emotional intelligence training, mindfulness practices, and social-emotional learning programs are identified as effective interventions that enhance self-regulation and promote mental health. By integrating developmental and emotional perspectives, the paper argues that emotional intelligence constitutes both a protective factor and a developmental resource in the transition to adulthood, enabling young adults to transform instability into growth and to navigate the complexities of modern life with adaptability, empathy, and psychological balance.
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