Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence Training in Perceived Stress and Problem-Solving Skills in Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc, Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Fars, Iran

2 Ph. D, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad,Fars, Iran

Abstract

Background: Based on the research, intervention programs in educational institutions that target emotional competence, such as life skills training programs emphasizing emotional skills, have been successful in the promotion of social adaptation. 
 
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effects of emotional intelligence training on students' perceived stress levels and problem-solving skills.
 
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on a pretest-posttest control group design with a two-month follow-up period design. A total of 70 participants were selected via the available sampling technique and randomly assigned to two groups (n=35 in each group). During the pre-test and post-test phases, all participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale by Cohen et al. and the Problem-Solving Questionnaire by Hepner and Patterson. The experimental group received training according to the Bar-On emotional intelligence protocol in eight 90-minute sessions, while both groups were observed throughout the study. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS software.
 
Results: The results of covariance analysis demonstrated that the intervention was successful in the enchantment of personal-solving confidence and personal control (P<0.05); however, there was no significant improvement in the avoidance style component (P<0.05). The effect size measurement (partial eta square) indicated that the intervention had a more marked impact on personal control than personal-solving confidence (r=0.472).
 
Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, emotional intelligence training can lower perceived stress levels and enhance problem-solving skills by aiding the recognition and management of emotions.
 

Keywords


Acknowledgments: This article was extracted from an MSC dissertation written by the primary author at Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch in Iran. The authors express their gratitude to all participants who took part in the study. The Ethics Review Board of Shiraz Branch approved the present study with the following number: IR.IAU.KAU.REC.1402.041.

 

Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report in this study.

 

Availability of data and materials: The information used in the research can be obtained by contacting the author before or after the publication.

 

 

Consent for publication: The Publisher is sent a signed Consent to Publish by the Authors in order to give permission to publish the Work.

 

Ethics approval and consent to participate: The current study received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of the Islamic Azad University, Shiraz branch, with the reference number IR.IAU.KAU.REC.1402.041. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration.

 

Financial disclosure: Using one's own funds to cover expenses.

 

Author contributions: Y.A.: Contributed to the conception of the work, revising the draft, approving the final version of the manuscript, and agreeing on all aspects of the work; A.N.: Contributed to the data analysis and interpretation, critical revision, and approval of the final version of the manuscript; Y.A.: Contributed to acquiring data, drafting the manuscript, and approving the final version; A.N.: Contributed to the conception and design of the study, critical revision, and approval of the manuscript's final version; Y.A.: Contributed to the conception and design of the study, data interpretation, drafting of the manuscript and critical revision, and approval of final version.

 

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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