Emerging adulthood is a stressful developmental phase with susceptibility to mental illnesses. Pearlin’s theory of psychological distress posits that the occurrence of psychological distress depends on the stressor’s nature, one’s personal resources, coping response, and social support. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of emotional intelligence, social support, and coping styles on psychological distress among emerging adults. This study was a non-experimental correlational study using a survey method. 253 Malaysians residing in Malaysia aged 18 to 29 (M= 22, SD= 2.59) were recruited through convenience sampling and completed the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Brief COPE Inventory, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Linear regression and standard multiple regression were conducted to test the hypotheses. Both emotional intelligence and social support negatively predicted psychological distress, while emotion-focused and avoidance coping positively predicted psychological distress. When emotional intelligence, social support, emotion-focused, and avoidance coping were included in the regression analysis simultaneously, all variables significantly predicted psychological distress, with avoidance coping being the strongest predictor. Thus, intervention strategies designed for emerging adults should minimise the use of avoidance and emotion-focused coping, while increasing social support and emotional intelligence to reduce psychological distress.
Keywords: psychological distress, coping, resources