Emotional intelligence training as a protective factor for mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction The COVID‐19 pandemic has presented a major challenge to mental health and emotional wellbeing. The present study examined whether training in emotional intelligence (EI) skills, provided before the pandemic, would serve as a protective factor for sustaining mental health during the COVID‐19 crisis. Methods Data came from a longitudinal study ( N = 89) that was initially designed to test the effectiveness of an EI training program versus a non‐emotion‐focused placebo program. The design and timing of the study were such that baseline and posttraining assessments of depression and anxiety had been completed before the pandemic, and planned 6‐month follow‐ups were serendipitously scheduled to occur after the onset of the COVID‐19 crisis. This provided us with an unexpected real‐world opportunity to investigate whether EI training would bolster emotional resilience to the challenges posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results Although mental health concerns generally increased after the start of the pandemic, individuals who completed the EI training program scored lower on depression, suicidal ideation, and state anxiety relative to individuals who had been assigned to the placebo training program. Conclusion Online EI training appears to be effective at sustaining critical aspects of mental health during a subsequent real‐life crisis.

Emotional Intelligence and Academic Self-Efficacy in Relation to the Psychological Well-Being of University Students During COVID-19 in Venezuela

“…It can be stated that the results are congruent with other studies conducted in Venezuela during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically regarding adequate levels of academic self-efficacy ( Romero et al, 2021 ); however, our results differ from that of the study conducted by Giménez and Medici (2021) regarding emotional intelligence skills. Our results are also congruent with international evidence suggesting that self-efficacy, emotional understanding, and regulation skills may be protective factors for mental health and well-being during a pandemic ( Persich et al, 2021 ; Sabouripour et al, 2021 ; Sánchez-Ruiz et al, 2021 ); additionally, in this study, emotional perception established a proportional inverse relationship with psychological well-being, which is congruent with other studies before the pandemic ( Extremera and Fernández-Berrocal, 2006 ; Extremera et al, 2009 ).…”

Does Emotional Intelligence Increase Satisfaction with Life during COVID-19? The Mediating Role of Depression

“…Understanding and managing feelings also improve problem-solving abilities, the capacity to control negative emotions, and reduce mental effects such as depression. In this respect, the protective role of emotional intelligence is important in relieving increasing individual concerns and psychological problems during the COVID-19 period [14,15,32,149].…”

Lower Levels of Directed Exploration and Reflective Thinking Are Associated With Greater Anxiety and Depression

“…Participants also completed the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), a 40-item scale that measures anxiety symptoms in the present moment (state) and in life more generally (trait) ( 32 ). This data on depression and anxiety symptoms was also utilized in a recent study examining questions unrelated to exploration or cognitive reflection ( 33 ).…”