Objective To explore the relationship and mechanism of stress perception and loneliness among emotional intelligence and life satisfaction among master' s students, and to provide reference basis for promoting the mental health development of graduate students. Methods A total of 728 graduate students from 6 universities were selected by stratified cluster random sampling and investigated by emotional intelligence, loneliness, stress perception and life satisfaction scale. SPSS 25.0 was used to conduct independent sample t 一 tests, analysis of ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis on the data, A structural equation model was built by using AMOS 26. 0 software and evaluated. Results Emotional intelligence was positively correlated with life satisfaction (r = 0. 423, P < 0. 01). There was a negative correlation between perceived stress and loneliness, life satisfaction, and emotional intelligence (r = - 0, 519, - 0. 440, - 0. 536, - 0, 505 <0. 01). There was a positive correlation between perceived stress and loneliness (r = 0. 568, P <0. 01). Emotional intelligence can not only directly predict life satisfaction, but also indirectly through stress perception and loneliness. The mediation effect value of stress perception was 0.227 accounting for 42.5% of the total effect, and the mediation effect value of loneliness was 0.026, accounting for 4, 9% of the total effect. The effect value of emotional intelligence and life satisfaction was 0. 029, accounting for 5. 4% of the total indirect effect. Conclusion Emotional intelligence can affect the life satisfaction of master' s students through the mediating or chain mediating effect of stress perception and loneliness, which provides a theoretical basis for improving the quality of life and mental health of master' s students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]