Emotional intelligence and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a critical review

Introduction Emotional intelligence (EI) is a theoretical construct postulated by Mayer and Salovey to designate the ability to perceive, understand, use and manage emotions. The study of EI in schizophrenia offers new insights into the disorder’s cognitive and functional impacts. Objectives To comprehensively review studies analyzing EI impairment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders using standardized instruments. Methods Searches were run on MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, LILACS, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and SciELO databases. The only validated instrument used was the Multifactor Emotional Intelligence Scale (MSCEIT). Articles that used all branches of the MSCEIT to assess EI in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls were included in the review. Results We found 30 articles on this topic. The studies analyzed showed a significant impairment of MSCEIT total score in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders when compared to healthy controls. In relation to the MSCEIT branches, understanding of emotions and management of emotions are the most impaired branches. Conclusion Since most studies are cross-sectional, it is not possible to establish a cause and effect relationship between EI deficits and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Therefore, longitudinal studies are needed to establish a clearer relationship between these variables. By so doing, we may be able to intervene for prevention and management of these disorders, aiming at better quality of life for patients.

The relationship between leadership behaviour, outcomes of leadership and emotional intelligence

The aim of the study was to explore relationship between leadership behaviour, the outcomes of leadership and the emotional intelligence of managers. The “Multifactor Emotional Intelligence Scale�? and the "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire" were applied to a convenience sample of 100 managers working for various companies in South Africa. The study yielded significant correlations between managers’ level of emotional intelligence, leadership behaviour and the outcomes of leadership. Opsomming Die doel van die studie was om die verband tussen die leierskapsgedrag, uitkoms van leierskap en die emosionele intelligensie van bestuurders te ondersoek. Die “Multifactor Emotional Intelligence Scale�? en die “Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire�? is op ’n gerieflikheidsteekproef van 100 bestuurders wat in verskeie organisasies in Suid-Afrika werksaam is, toegepas. Die resultate dui op ’n beduidende korrelasie tussen die vlak van emosionele intelligensie, leierskapsgedrag en die uitkoms van leierskap van bestuurders.