PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FORMATION THROUGH CREATIVE ACTIVITY

Abstract

Relevance of the topic is determined by the fact that emotional intelligence is an important condition for psychological well-being, effective communication, self-regulation, and social adaptation of the individual. Creative activity has significant potential for its development, since through self-expression, reflection, and emotional experience it promotes awareness of one’s own feelings, the development of empathy, creativity, and emotional self-regulation skills. Therefore, the study of psychological mechanisms of emotional intelligence formation through creative activity has both theoretical and practical significance for psychology, education, and counseling. The purpose of the article is to study the psychological mechanisms of emotional intelligence formation through creative activity. Research methods. The study used theoretical, empirical, and statistical methods. Theoretical methods included analysis, synthesis, comparison, classification, and systematization of scientific sources in order to generalize modern approaches to the problem of emotional intelligence and creative activity. The empirical study was carried out using а set of psychodiagnostic methods: the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Likert scale), N. Hall’s Emotional Intelligence Test, the Spielberger-Khanin Anxiety Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and O. Etkind’s Color Attitude Test. The results obtained indicate the predominance of medium and high levels of emotional intelligence among most respondents, while emotional awareness and the ability to manage emotions remain relatively more vulnerable components. Anxiety indicators reveal increased psycho-emotional tension in some students, which determines the need for preventive and corrective psychological interventions. Conclusion. It has been established that art therapy practices contribute to reducing emotional tension, increasing emotional stability, developing empathy, and improving self-regulation skills. The most effective methods were art therapy (drawing therapy) and music therapy, which ensure safe expression of experiences, activate emotional reflection, and promote internal balance. Correlation analysis confirmed a statistically significant negative relationship between emotional intelligence and anxiety, indicating its role as an important resource for psychological adaptation. It was proved that the central mechanism of the influence of creative activity on the development of emotional intelligence is the enhancement of emotional awareness, acceptance of experiences, and the formation of emotional self-regulation skills.