Impact of arts activities on psychological well-being: Emotional intelligence as mediator and perceived stress as moderator

作者：Yan Zhang · 发表于：Acta Psychologica · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104865 · 被引用次数：19 · 研究领域：Emotional Intelligence and Performance、Creativity in Education and Neuroscience、Optimism, Hope, and Well-being

This study aims to investigate the impact of engaging in arts activities on the psychological well-being of Chinese university students, focusing on the mediating role of emotional intelligence, specifically perceived stress, as a moderator. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from 723 public and private Chinese university students. The partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to analyze Smart PLS 4 software. The result revealed that participation in arts activities positively and significantly influences university students' psychological well-being and emotional intelligence. Additionally, emotional intelligence positively and significantly mediates the relationship between participation in arts activities and psychological well-being. Lastly, perceived stress significantly negatively moderates the association between engagement in arts activities and emotional intelligence but does not significantly affect the relationship between participation in arts activities and psychological well-being. Empirical evidence indicates that participation in arts activities has a beneficial impact on students' stress levels, feelings of achievement, and general state of well-being. In addition, art activities are crucial for developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, confidence, problem-solving abilities, creative thinking, and mindfulness practices. These findings have significant implications for educato...