homa askarian moghadan zanjani, Friborze Bagheri, Mojtaba Jazayeri, Mohammad Torkaman, Hamid Amiri

The current study compares Emotional Intelligence and Identity styles in women with major depression disorder and normal women. In order to get post-test (caused-comparison)، 120 women (60 depressed and 60 normal) were selected. These experimental women are collected first from clients of «Mehr Taban consultancy center» on fall and winter 1390 (which recognized depressed by the Psychiatrist، based on Diagnostic criteria DSM-IV-TR)، and second collected from students of «Islamic Azad University، science and research branch of Tehran» (which Based on Structured clinical interview DSM-IV-TR، were not recognized depressed) selected using convenience sampling. Assessment tools consisted of Emotional intelligence scale (Bar-On، 1997) and Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (Bennion & Adams، 1986). Results analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient and MANOVA has been clarified; between depressed and normal women، the levels of emotional intelligence، as a dependent variable، there are significant differences (P<0. 001) and between depressed and normal women''s identity styles as a dependent variable was also significant difference (P<0. 001). Also، separately، between emotional intelligence and identity status in depressed and normal women، there was a significant relationship (P<0. 001). This study suggests the importance of relationship between emotional intelligence and identity style in description of depression. The results can be used in prevention programs and treatment.