Emotional Intelligence as a Protective Factor Against Cyberbullying Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence

Background: Cyberbullying among adolescents and young adults which leads to a significant public health concern. Emotional intelligence (EQ) —reflects the self-awareness, emotional control, empathy, and social skills — which has been suggested as an important protective factor. thoroughly compiled evidence regarding victimisation, perpetration, bystander actions, and intervention results for this relationship. Objective: To systematically identify, assess, and integrate empirical evidence regarding the correlation between emotional intelligence and cyberbullying in relation to victimization, perpetration, bystander actions, and the effectiveness of interventions; as well as to ascertain implications for nursing and health education. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature review was performed on the peer-reviewed publications released from 2010 to 2024 utilizing PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. The eligibility criteria were developed using the PICO structure. The quality was appraised independently using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data synthesis was carried out using narrative thematic synthesis along with an assessment of evidence certainty. Outcomes: A total of twenty-two studies (n=19,847 participants; 12 nations) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Higher EQ (particularly emotional management and empathy) showed a strong connection with reduced instances of cyberbullying victimization (OR range: 0.43–0.71) and perpetration (OR range: 0.38–0.67). EQ was discovered to have a notable connection with prosocial bystander intervention. Programs focused on equity in schools led to significant reductions in cyberbullying behaviors. The general quality of evidence was moderate. Summary: EQ serves as a consistent and adaptable positive force that aids in the prevention of cyberbullying. There is a necessity to incorporate interventions centered on EQ within the curriculum of nursing and health education, particularly SEL. Randomized controlled trials involving South Asian nursing students are an essential research requirement.