The Relationship Between Trait Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Expressiveness, and Hopelessness Among Women Who Experience Domestic Violence

Abstract

In Indonesia, cases of domestic violence rise every year with women having a higher prevalence being the victim. Victims may become hampered in reporting the case during current pandemic situation. Some studies reveal that domestic violence evoke psychological related-issues such as depression and suicide ideation. Previous study found that women who experience domestic violence report moderate to severe level of hopelessness. Trait emotional intelligence and emotional expressiveness seem play role toward hopelessness among victims. This study aimed to determine the correlation between trait emotional intelligence, emotional expressiveness, and hopelessness among 52 women who experience domestic violence in Indonesia. Nonexperimental quantitative research method with Pearson's correlational analysis is used to test the hypotheses. Measurement using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS), and the Emotional Expressivity Scale (EES) with good reliability. Results show that trait emotional intelligence and hopelessness are negatively correlated, there is no correlation between emotional expressiveness and hopelessness, trait emotional intelligence positively correlated with emotional expressiveness. Trait emotional intelligence is more stable dispositional factor than emotional expressiveness and more significantly correlated to hopelessness among participants. Objectivity and specification of the violence among participants might be considered for further study. Social support and relationship quality may also be considered to study the emotional expressiveness among participants who experience domestic violence.