The circadian typology is related to differences in emotional intelligence

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between circadian typology and emotional intelligence taking into account the possible interactions between sex and physical exercise, and controlling for age. A sample of 1011 participants (649 women; 26.92 ± 6.53 yr) completed the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24. Women showed higher emotional attention scores, while men showed higher emotional repair scores (p< .035). Subjects who do physical exercise weekly showed higher emotional repair scores (p=.001). Morning-type had lower emotional attention than evening and neither-type; neither-type exhibited lower emotional repair than morning-type, and lower emotional clarity than both evening and morning-type (p<.046). Circadian typology modulated sex differences in emotional attention, only morning-type group men showed lower emotional attention scores than women. Morning typology may be a protective factor in terms of general health, while we should be aware that the neither-type may present a vulnerability to develop psychological problems