THE EFFECT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE RESILIENCE OF WIVES OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Process resilience is the ability or consequence of successfully adapting to threatening conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of emotional intelligence training on the resiliency of spouses of schizophrenic patients.

In this field trial study, 30 spouses of schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. At first, Demographic, Bar-on emotional intelligence and Conner and Davidson resiliency questionnaires were completed by intervention and control groups. Then, by holding 8 training sessions, the intervention group received the necessary training on emotional intelligence and its skills along with practical exercises in the sessions. Then the two questionnaires were again completed by both intervention and control groups. Fisherchr('39')s exact test, independent t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance were used to analyze the data.

Mean scores of emotional intelligence before intervention in the intervention group and the control group were 285.87±40.308 and 287.33±28.826, respectively. After the intervention, the mean scores of emotional intelligence in the intervention group and control group were 295.87±35.496 and 288.73±27.088, respectively. The mean score of resiliency in the intervention group before the intervention was 22.80±7.876 and it was 32.53±10.596 in the control group. After intervention, the mean scores of emotional intelligence in the intervention group and the control group reached 63.87±11.051 and 57.93±13.520, respectively. These changes were statistically significant. (p <0.05).

Emotional intelligence training improved the resiliency of spouses of schizophrenic patients, while there was no significant change in resiliency in the control group before and after the intervention. Therefore, it is recommended that emotional intelligence training be included in the educational programs of the spouses of schizophrenic patients.