Emotional Intelligence, Health and Identity Development: An Exploratory Study of Their Relationship Among LGTB Population

Abstract

Nowadays, studies on the negative impact of LGTBphobia have the challenge of finding protective factors for the LGTB community. This exploratory study analyse the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), health and identity in 1215 people. To this purpose, four profiles were identified with a cluster analysis that combined the three dimensions of EI: one with high scores in all three areas and, conversely, one with low scores; also, a third with high repair and a fourth with high attention and low repair. The results show notable differences in health and identity development. People with medium-high indices of clarity and reparation are those with the least mental health alterations, that is, greater self-esteem, life satisfaction and identity acceptance. It is necessary to consider the implications of this work for the professional practice of those seeking to promote the health and positive experiences of the LGBT community in disadvantaged contexts.