THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE PERSONAL BOUNDARIESFORMATION

Abstract

This article attempts to summarize and systematize the existing psychological knowledge regarding the role of emotional intelligence in the formation of personal boundaries. The first section examines the concept and structure of emotional intelligence, as well as its key components, such as emotional self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The main theoretical approaches to defining emotional intelligence are analyzed, including the models proposed by P. Salovey and J. Mayer, D. Goleman, and others, which define it as an integral ability of an individual to understand and manage emotions for effective interaction with others. The second section explores the essence of personal boundaries, their functions, and types. It is determined that personal boundaries help individuals maintain psychological balance, autonomy, and effective interaction with the social environment. The main types of boundaries—physical, emotional, and mental—are considered, which regulate an individual’s interaction with others and help avoid negative external influences. The third section focuses on the relationship between emotional intelligence and the formation of personal boundaries. It analyzes how the level of emotional intelligence contributes to emotional awareness and regulation, the establishment of effective interpersonal boundaries, and the prevention of manipulation and psychological space violations. Particular attention is paid to aspects such as the impact of empathy on understanding one’s own and others’ boundaries, the importance of social skills in maintaining them, and the influence of self-regulation on the ability to maintain psychological resilience in challenging situations. The conclusions highlight the importance of developing emotional intelligence in forming and maintaining healthy personal boundaries, which contributes to improving quality of life, strengthening psychological resilience, and establishing harmonious interpersonal relationships. The necessity of developing emotional competence as a tool for self-awareness, self-esteem enhancement, and effective social interaction management is emphasized. This article may be useful for professionals in the fields of psychology and pedagogy, as well as for anyone seeking to develop their emotional intelligence and improve their skills in building healthy personal boundaries.