Impaired emotional intelligence is related to symptoms severity and suicidal attempts in depression

Objective: Few studies demonstrated the impairment of perceived emotional intelligence ‘EI’ among depressed patients. This study aimed to assess the perceived EI in a group of depressed patients, and its association with different clinical characteristics. Methods: Forty-five patients diagnosed with depression were assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and compared to 45 controls that were assessed by the Arabic version of General Health Questionnaire to exclude Psychiatric disorders. The Arabic version of Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS) is used to evaluate EI in both groups. Results: Patients with depression showed significantly lower EI scores in the three parts of TMMS (repair, clarity and attention) compared to the controls ( p < .001). Patients showed significant difference in clarity subscale ( p = .005) and attention regarding severity of depression ( p < .001). Clarity of feelings was significantly higher in patients who suffered more than two episodes ( p = .012). Depressive patients with suicidal attempts showed significantly lower scores of repair ( p = .044) and attention ( p = .016) subscales. There were no significant differences of TMMS subscales between patients with and without suicidal ideation, sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates impaired perceived EI among patients with depression that is correlated with symptom severity and suicidal attempts.

Perfil de Inteligencia Emocional de docente en tiempos de COVID-19.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir los perfiles de inteligencia emocional en docentes durante la situación de confinamiento por COVID-19 respecto a los componentes de la inteligencia emocional: percibir, comprender y regular. Se realizó un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo de tipo comparativo. La muestra fue no probabilística con 155 docentes con edad promedio de 40.41 años (DE = 9.76), 27.7% hombres y 72.3% mujeres. El instrumento utilizado fue Trait Meta-Mood Scale de 24 reactivos. A través de un análisis de conglomerados se identificaron tres perfiles: alto (35.48%), moderado (41.29%) y bajo (23.23%) nivel de IE. Los hallazgos apuntan a la necesidad de incluir en el ámbito educativo el desarrollo de las habilidades emocionales para afrontar mejor futuras adversidades.

Emotional Intelligence Measures: A Systematic Review

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to perceive, express, understand, and manage emotions. Current research indicates that it may protect against the emotional burden experienced in certain professions. This article aims to provide an updated systematic review of existing instruments to assess EI in professionals, focusing on the description of their characteristics as well as their psychometric properties (reliability and validity). A literature search was conducted in Web of Science (WoS). A total of 2761 items met the eligibility criteria, from which a total of 40 different instruments were extracted and analysed. Most were based on three main models (i.e., skill-based, trait-based, and mixed), which differ in the way they conceptualize and measure EI. All have been shown to have advantages and disadvantages inherent to the type of tool. The instruments reported in the largest number of studies are Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), Schutte Self Report-Inventory (SSRI), Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test 2.0 (MSCEIT 2.0), Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS), Wong and Law’s Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). The main measure of the estimated reliability has been internal consistency, and the construction of EI measures was predominantly based on linear modelling or classical test theory. The study has limitations: we only searched a single database, the impossibility of estimating inter-rater reliability, and non-compliance with some items required by PRISMA.

Psychometric properties of the Burnout Inventory for Referees (BIR) for Brazilian Basketball Referees

El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue verificar las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Burnout para Árbitros en árbitros de baloncesto brasileños. Fueron evaluados un total de 395 árbitros de baloncesto (edad: 35.11 ± 9.18 años), de ambos sexos (masculino = 319 y femenino = 76), con un tiempo de experiencia promedio de 12.34 ± 7.83 años, quienes respondieron cuestionarios de identificación demográfica, Burnout Inventory for Brazilian Basketball Referees (BIR-AB) y Brunel Mood Scale for Basketball Referees (BRUMS-AB). La validez factorial se estimó mediante el análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) con el método de estimación de máxima verosimilitud. Como se rechazó la homocedasticidad, la comparación entre grupos se realizó mediante ANOVA con corrección de Welch seguido del post-test de Games-Howell. La correlación entre las puntuaciones de los factores BIR-AB y las variables edad y duración de la experiencia se evaluó mediante el análisis de correlación de Pearson (r). El nivel de significancia adoptado fue del 5%. Tras la realización del AFC e inserción del modelo jerárquico de segundo orden (MHSO), se propuso un nuevo modelo, denominado BIR-AB (Burnout Inventory for Referees para árbitros brasileños de baloncesto), que contiene dos dimensiones negativas (agotamiento físico y emocional y despersonalización) y una positiva (rendimiento deportivo), con índices de ajuste adecuados, se constató una confiabilidad aceptable e invariante entre el género y en la muestra de prueba / validación y la validez divergente. The main goal of this paper was to verify the psychometric properties of the Burnout Inventory for Referees on Brazilian basketball referees (BIR-AB). A total of 395 basketball referees were evaluated (age: 35.11 ± 9.18 years), of both gender (male = 319 and female = 76), with an average experience time of 12.34 ± 7.83 years, who answered demographic identification questionnaires, Burnout Inventory for Brazilian Basketball Referees (BIR-AB) and Brunel Mood Scale for Basketball Referees (BRUMS-AB). Factor validity was estimated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with the Maximum Likelihood estimation method. As homoscedasticity was rejected, the comparison between groups was performed using ANOVA with Welch's correction followed by the Games-Howell post-test. The correlation between the scores of the BIR-AB factors and the variables age and length of experience was assessed using Pearson's Correlation Analysis (r). The level of significance adopted was 5%. After the performance of the CFA and insertion of the second-order hierarchical model (MHSO), a new model was proposed, called BIR-AB, containing two negative dimensions (physical and emotional exhaustion and depersonalization) and a positive (sport performance), with adequate adjustment indexes, acceptable and invariant reliability between the gender and in the test/validation sample and the divergent validity was attested. O objetivo principal desse estudo foi verificar as propriedades psicométricas do Burnout Inventory for Referees para árbitros brasileiros de basquetebol. Foram avaliados 395 árbitros de basquetebol (idade: 35,11 ± 9,18 anos), de ambos os sexos (masculino=319 e feminino=76), com tempo médio de experiência de 12,34 ± 7,83 anos, que responderam aos questionários de identificação demográfica, Burnout Inventory for Brazilian Basketball Referees (BIR-AB) e Brunel Mood Scale for Basketball Referees (BRUMS-AB). A validade fatorial foi estimada utilizando-se a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (AFC) com método de estimação da Máxima Verossimilhança. Como a homocedasticidade foi rejeitada, a comparação entre os grupos foi realizada por meio da ANOVA com correção de Welch seguido pelo pós-teste de Games-Howell. A correlação entre os escores dos fatores do BIR-AB e as variáveis idade e tempo de atuação foi avaliada a partir da Análise de Correlação de Pearson (r). O nível de significância adotado foi 5%. Após a realização da AFC e inserção do modelo hierárquico de segunda ordem (MHSO), um novo modelo foi proposto, chamado de BIR-AB (Burnout Inventory for Referees para árbitros brasileiros de basquetebol), contendo duas dimensões negativas (exaustão física e emocional e ) e uma positiva (desempenho esportivo), com índices adequados de ajustamento, confiabilidade aceitável e invariante entre os sexos e na amostra teste/validação e a validade divergente foi atestada.

Physiological and Psychological Responses to a Maximal Swimming Exercise Test in Adolescent Elite Athletes

Background: Continuously rising performances in elite adolescent athletes requires increasing training loads. This training overload without professional monitoring, could lead to overtraining in these adolescents. Methods: 31 elite adolescent athletes (boys: n = 19, 16 yrs; girls: n = 12, 15 yrs) participated in a field-test which contained a unified warm-up and a 200 m maximal freestyle swimming test. Saliva samples for testosterone (T) in boys, estradiol (E) in girls and cortisol (C) in both genders were collected pre-, post- and 30 min post-exercise. Lactate levels were obtained pre- and post-exercise. Brunel Mood Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and psychosomatic symptoms questionnaires were filled out post-exercise. Results: Lactate levels differed between genders (boys: pre: 1.01 ± 0.26; post: 8.19 ± 3.24; girls: pre: 0.74 ± 0.23; post: 5.83 ± 2.48 mmol/L). C levels increased significantly in boys: pre- vs. post- (p = 0.009), pre- vs. 30 min post-exercise (p = 0.003). The T level (p = 0.0164) and T/C ratio (p = 0.0004) decreased after field test which draws attention to the possibility of overtraining. Maximal and resting heart rates did not differ between genders; however, heart rate recovery did (boys: 29.22 ± 7.4; girls: 40.58 ± 14.50 beats/min; p = 0.008). Conclusions: Our models can be used to explain the hormonal ratio changes (37.5–89.8%). Based on the results this method can induce hormonal response in elite adolescent athletes and can be used to notice irregularities with repeated measurements.

Smartphone addiction is associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, tension, confusion, and insomnia: A cross-sectional and comparative study with physically and non-physically active adults in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. During the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, social media exposure and the use of electronic devices have increased; still, these behaviors may cause adverse health effects. Objective. This study assessed sleep quality, insomnia, mood, and psychological aspects among physically (n = 46) and non-physically (n = 53) active individuals during self-isolation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and examined their association with smartphone addiction. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Brazilian citizens in self-isolation for at least 60 days; ninety-nine volunteers from different Brazilian regions were enrolled in the online survey. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-Short Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Brunel Mood Scale, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version were used to assess the study outcomes. Results. The results indicate moderate and large correlations of smartphone addiction with mood subscales, insomnia (r = .52), anxiety (r = .49), depression (r = .49), and stress (r = .49) symptoms. Also, it was observed that physically active participants were less addicted to smartphones than the non-physically active during self-isolation (p

Sexual activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

Background Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally starting from late 2019. The WHO declared it a global pandemic in March 2020, causing nations around the world to introduce various control measures to halt the rapid spread of the disease, such as quarantines, lockdowns, and work from home (WFH) policies. These policies often force people to spend more time at home with their cohabitants, or possibly sexual partners. Various negative feelings experienced during those policies are considered to affect the general mood and sexual life of the population. This study aimed to investigate the difference in mood and sexual activity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This research was a cross-sectional pilot study. Authors collected data from 131 randomly selected, sexually active volunteer subjects using a self-administered online questionnaire. Subjects’ mood status, behavior, and frequency of sexual intercourse before and during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia were analyzed. Results Subjects consisted of 67 (51.1%) men and 64 (48.9%) women. Our analysis shows that there was a decline in overall mood scale, and also sexual activity frequency, before and during the pandemic (4.63 vs. 4.03; 80.2% vs. 67.9%, respectively). The COVID-19 pandemic control measures may enable subjects to have more time with their sexual partners at home, but it does not increase the frequency of their sexual activities. Conclusion There was a slight decrease in overall mood scale and sexual activity frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic recorded among subjects. The authors suspect that depression symptoms, fear, anxiety, irritability, boredom, confusion, and feeling of being isolated experienced during strict pandemic control measures, caused by stressors such as job loss, decreased monthly income, and the current state of the pandemic are influencing these phenomena.

Assessing mood and cognitive functioning in acute stroke: clinical usability of a Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS)

Background Patients suffering from stroke in the acute/post-acute phases often present with depressive mood — which negatively impacts on patients’ prognosis. However, psychometric evaluation of mood in acute stroke patients may be challenging due to cognitive deficits. Tools investigating emotional states via a vertical analogue line may overcome language/visuo-spatial disorders. This study thus aimed at (a) investigating the clinical usability of a Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) in acute stroke patients and (b) investigating the interplay between mood and cognition in this population. Methods Forty-one acute stroke patients were compared to 41 age-, education- and sex-matched healthy participants (HPs) on the VAMS and on cognitive measures (mental performance in acute stroke, MEPS). A control line bisection (LB) task was administered to control for potential visuo-spatial deficits in patients. Results Patients reported higher depression levels than HPs (lower VAMS scores); this between-group difference stayed significant when covarying for LB scores. MEPS scores discriminated patients from HPs; among cognitive measures, only the Clock drawing test (CDT) was positively associated with VAMS scores. Lesion side did not affect patients’ mood state; however, disease duration was inversely related to VAMS scores. Discussion The VAMS proved to be a suitable tool for assessing mood in acute stroke patients, as being independent from post-stroke cognitive sequelae. The CDT might represent an adequate measure of depression-induced, post-stroke cognitive efficiency decrease. Mood disorders might occur and thus should be adequately addressed also in post-acute phases — likely due to longer hospitalization times and regression of anosognosic features.

The Relationship Between Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Late Adolescent Autonomy

This study aims to determine the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and late adolescent autonomy in Makassar City. This study uses quantitative methods with a correlational research design. The Trait Meta-Mood Scale-30 (TMMS-30) and adolescent autonomy scale were given to the research sample selected by purposive sampling method, totaling 453 respondents of adolescent aged 18-21 years; data college use online survey. The object of study is located in Makassar City and identifying themselves Bugis ethnicity. The demonstration and data analysis results using the Bivariate Pearson correlation test showed a positive (unidirectional) relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and late adolescent autonomy. However, the relationship between these variables was moderate (R-calculated = 0.417; with Sig. level < 0.01). The demonstration of the correlation of these variables means that the higher the level of perceived emotional intelligence possessed by adolescents is in line with the level of autonomy of adolescents. However, our study also underlines that the ability of perceived emotional intelligence in predicting the autonomy factor of adolescents is in the moderate category. It is assumed that the control of the perceived emotional intelligence variable is not strong enough to justify its role in the autonomy of late adolescents in this study.

Longitudinal Trends and Risk Factors for Depressed Mood Among Canadian Adults During the First Wave of COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised serious concerns about the mental health impact of people directed and indirectly affected by the virus. Because this is a rapidly evolving situation, our goal was to explore potential risk factors and trends in feelings of anxiety and depression among the general population in Canada over the first 5 months of the pandemic.Methods: We completed on-line surveys of 3,127 unique individuals representative of the Canadian general population at 4 discreet periods every 6 weeks from April 15th to July 28th 2020. We assessed feelings of anxiety, depression and loss of interest with the interRAI self-reported mood scale using a multivariable generalized estimating equation model to examine factors associated with having a 5+ score on the scale (indicating potentially depressed mood). We also investigated potential longitudinal trends to examine temporal variation in mood scores.Results: More than 30% of participants felt highly anxious, depressed, and disinterested in everyday activities in the first survey (April), but this number decreased to about 20% over 4 months. Feeling lonely, younger age, feeling overwhelmed by one's health needs, having financial concerns, and living outside of Québec were significantly associated with depressed mood.Interpretation: The prevalence of depressed mood during the pandemic was between 2 and 3 times the pre-pandemic rate (especially among young people), but it can change rapidly in response to social changes. Thus, monitoring of psychological distress among vulnerable groups that may benefit from additional supports should be a priority.