The Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence in a Gender-Specific Model of Organizational Variables

This article investigated the relationships between trait emotional intelligence (‘‘trait EI’’ or ‘‘emotional self-efficacy’’) and 4 job-related variables (perceived job control, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment). Gender-specific data (N5 167, 87 females) were analyzed via multigroup structural equation modeling. Perceived job control had a negative effect on stress and a positive effect on satisfaction. Stress had a negative effect on satisfaction, which, in turn, had the strongest positive effect on commitment. There were many gender differences in the model, mainly concerning age, which was negatively related to control and commitment in the female sample only. Trait EI had specific, rather than widespread, effects in the model. Discussion focuses on trait EI’s implications in the workplace.