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How Verbal Intelligence Predicts Emotional Stability: The Moderating Role of Empathy
Stanislava Stoyanova1, Stoil Mavrodiev1
1Department of Psychology, South-West University "Neofit Rilski", 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
Journal of Intelligence
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Higher verbal intelligence predicts emotional stability, especially when empathy is low to moderate. High empathy may weaken this link, highlighting the role of socio-emotional factors in cognitive-emotional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Verbal intelligence is crucial for cognitive functioning.
- Emotional stability is a key aspect of psychological well-being.
- The interplay between cognitive abilities and emotional regulation is complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the predictive relationship between verbal intelligence and emotional stability.
- To investigate the moderating effect of empathy on this relationship.
- To understand how socio-emotional factors influence cognitive predictors of well-being.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 300 Bulgarian adults.
- Utilized Cattell's 16PF Questionnaire (Factor B for verbal intelligence, Factor C for emotional stability).
- Employed Yusupov's empathy scale and OLS regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Higher verbal intelligence significantly predicted greater emotional stability (p=.045).
- Empathy did not show a significant main effect (p=.761).
- A significant interaction revealed verbal intelligence predicted emotional stability at low/medium empathy but not at high empathy levels.
Conclusions:
- Verbal intelligence supports emotional stability most effectively at low to moderate empathy levels.
- High empathy may attenuate or reverse the positive association between verbal intelligence and emotional stability.
- Socio-emotional moderators like empathy are critical when assessing cognitive predictors of emotional adjustment.
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