MATERNAL STATUS AS A MODERATOR OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG MOTHERS abstract

Background: The relationship between emotional intelligence and quality of life has been studied in various populations. However, how maternal status is influenced by maternal status as a single mother versus a partnered mother has not been thoroughly investigated among mothers. Aims: The current study examines the moderating role of mother status as a single mother versus a partnered mother in the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Life in mothers. Method: The research design adopted was cross-sectional and correlational, and a purposive sampling technique was conducted on a sample of 150 parents from Uttar Pradesh and the adjacent areas of Bihar. Result: Findings indicate that while single mothers and partnered mothers do not significantly differ in emotional intelligence domains, partnered mothers report higher quality of life scores across various domains than single mothers. Moreover, a positive association is observed between emotional intelligence and quality of life among mothers. Maternal status moderates this relationship, with a stronger association among partnered mothers. Conclusion: These results emphasise the importance of considering maternal status in understanding the complex interplay between emotional intelligence and quality of life among mothers.