Mediating Effect of Emotional Intelligence Between Psychological Capital and Career Readiness among Future Maritime Leaders

As mental health concern among seafarers continues to rise, this quantitative study adopts a proactive approach to strengthen maritime students' psychological resilience through emotional intelligence (EI) and psychological capital (PsyCap). Using stratified random sampling, 178 respondents from a private maritime academy in Laguna were selected based on a .075 effect size and 95% confidence level via G*Power. Data were gathered using two adopted tools (WLEIS and CAAS) and one adapted tool (PCQ), with Cronbach's Alpha coefficients of 0.91, 0.92, and 0.84, and a Lawshe Content Validity Index of 1.00. The analysis involved frequency, percentage, mean, Likert scale, regression, and the Sobel Test. Findings revealed high levels of PsyCap (hope: 5.32, efficacy: 5.21, resilience: 5.36, optimism: 5.49), EI (self-emotion appraisal: 6.04, others' emotion appraisal: 5.79, use of emotions: 6.16, regulation of emotions: 6.06), and career readiness (concern: 4.52, control: 4.47, curiosity: 4.54, confidence: 4.54). Regression results showed PsyCap significantly influenced career readiness (B = .588, p < .000, 34.6%) and EI (B = .759, p < .000, 57.6%), while EI influenced career readiness (B = .488, p < .000, 23.8%). Sobel Test confirmed EI as a partial mediator between PsyCap and career readiness (t = 6.689, p < .000), indicating PsyCap's standalone impact on readiness. An action plan was proposed to enhance EI, PsyCap, and career readiness among maritime students.