Emotional intelligence and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a critical review

Abstract

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.

Using dynamic point light display stimuli to assess gesture deficits in schizophrenia

“…Furthermore, although schizophrenia patients often exhibit deficits in working-memory abilities ( Walther et al, 2015 ), DSB performance of our patients was similar to controls, and thus was not associated with poor task performance. Finally, although patients exhibited inferior emotion perception abilities to controls ( Martins et al, 2019 ), it was not associated with gesture deficits in this study. This might be due to the nature of the stimuli we used, as neither the PKT nor the PLD task convey strong emotional states.…”

Impacts on and Care of Psychiatric Patients during the Outbreak of COVID-19

“…They can also become spreaders who transmit the disease to others due to their neurocognitive impairment e.g. , lack of self-care, slowed perception, impaired problem-solving, reduced planning skills, and poor social cognition [ 19 , 31 - 33 ].…”

Readiness to Change, Trait Emotional Intelligence, and Client Fit in Wilderness Therapy

“…González-Yubero et al (2019) found that EI predicted alcohol consumption among adolescents; while both AEI and TEI were found to predict alcohol consumption among adolescents, TEI was the most predictive. Finally, in their recent literature review, Martins et al (2019) concluded that, overall, addictions are associated with EI deficits compared to controls. EI has not been extensively considered in WT research.…”