AUTHOR=Jing Jing 

TITLE=HEXACO traits, emotional intelligence, and mental health: evidence from Chinese music education and implications for personality–stress interactions

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1421484

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1421484

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=IntroductionThis study examines the intricate relationship between HEXACO personality dimensions, specifically honesty-humility (H-H), emotional intelligence, stress, and mental health, within the context of music education in China.MethodsUtilizing the PROCESS Procedure for SPSS, developed by Andrew F. Hayes, we analyzed data from a sample of 746 music students aged 18–35 years, enrolled in undergraduate to graduate-level programs. The mediational model (Model 15) identified trait emotional intelligence as the mediator (M), with stress as the independent variable (X) and mental health as the dependent variable (Y), while considering H-H as a moderating variable (W).ResultsOur findings demonstrate that trait emotional intelligence significantly mediates the effect of stress on mental health, with the H-H dimension moderating this mediation, thereby enhancing the protective effect of emotional intelligence against stress-induced negative mental health outcomes.DiscussionThese results suggest practical applications for music education, indicating that integrating emotional intelligence training into curricula could be beneficial for improving stress management and mental health among students. Furthermore, recognizing H-H as a moderating factor highlights the importance of developing tailored support strategies to address the unique pressures faced by music students, thereby fostering a more supportive educational environment that is conducive to both academic achievement and personal growth.