RT Journal Article
T1 Mediating Effect of Trait Emotional Intelligence Between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)/Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Positive and Negative Affect
A1 Merchán Clavellino, Ana
A1 Alameda Bailén, José Ramón
A1 Zayas García, Antonio
A1 Guil Bozal, Rocío
AB Gray (1970, 1981, 1987) proposed a behavioral motivation theory (ReinforcementSensitivity Theory, RST), which describes the Behavioral Activation/Approach System(BAS) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS). Some studies relate higher activationof BAS to positive affect, whereas BIS activation is linked to negative affect, particularlyto high levels of anxiety and depression. Research data suggests that greaterTrait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) influences optimal development of well-being andpsychological adjustment, such as positive affective states. However, a recent studyrelates themotivational BIS/BAS systems with TEI, showing that high TEI is characterizedby sensitivity to reward (BAS), and low TEI due to activation of the BIS system. The aimof this study was to explore how TEI may mediate the relationship between BIS/BASsensitivity and positive and negative affect. Four-hundred and sixty-seven undergraduatestudents (385 females) were evaluated. TEI was evaluated with the Trait Meta-MoodScale (TMMS). Affective states were measured with the Positive (PA) and Negative Affect(NA) Schedule, and BIS/BAS sensitivity wasmeasured with The Sensitivity to Punishment(SP) and Sensitivity to Reward (SR) Questionnaire. The results reveal the influence of thetwo motivational systems on affective states, and show how this relationship is modifiedby and better explained through TEI. That is, a stronger approach to appetitive stimuliproduces more positive affect, but a belief that one [does not] understand unpleasantemotions or that one analyzes them, or thinks that one cannot regulate or controlemotions will reduce that positive state. Greater activation of inhibitory behaviors willproduce greater negative affect, and this will increase when one perceives that oneattends excessively to one’s feelings or does not understand them or feels incapableof regulating them. Accordingly, although motivators could be a focus of interest forintervention, this study shows that the efficiency and profitability of these practicalapplications increases by adding TEI.
PB Frontiers Media
SN 1664-1078
YR 2019
FD 2019-03
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10272/16408
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10272/16408
LA eng
NO Merchán Clavellino, A., Alameda Bailén, J. R., Zayas García, A., Guil, R. (2019). Mediating Effect of Trait Emotional Intelligence Between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)/Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Positive and Negative Affect. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00424
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 30 may 2026