Abstract: Trait emotional intelligence (TEI) is a constellation of emotional self-perceptions and dispositions located at the lower levels of personality hierarchies. Previous studies often linked TEI with prosociality, but ignored its possible dark sides. This study aims to explore the association of TEI with depression among Chinese emerging adults and the mechanism of ego-depletion (ED) and perceived social support (PSS) in this relationship. A total of 852 college students volunteered to participate in the survey. The results showed that TEI was positively associated with depression, and ED played a mediating role in this association. Besides, the stronger PSS weakened the indirect relationship between TEI and depression via ED. To be specific, college students low in PSS were more likely to suffer from ED and further to be depressed when they have high levels of TEI; whereas, TEI was not associated with increased ED and depression among college students with high PSS. The current study further expands the existing research on TEI, reveals the possible dark side of TEI and provides some theoretical guidance for the prevention and intervention of college students’ depression.

Keywords: Trait emotional intelligence; Ego-depletion; Perceived social support ; Depression ; College students