THE ROLE OF ABILITY AND TRAIT EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG PALESTINIAN BATTERED AND NON-BATTERED WOMEN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
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Date
2023-04-14
Authors
Carolina Hodali
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Abstract
Emotional Intelligence (EI) can be understood from two perspectives; EI as a mental capacity to process emotions and EI as a cognitive, personality, and an affective attribute. Studies on EI showed the importance of studying EI and its relationship to mental health outcomes (Stress, Anxiety and Depression). Worldwide and Palestinian studies showed high prevelance and strong relationship of Gender based Violence, specifically domestic violence with mental health outcomes.
The study aimed to investigate the role of Ability Emotional Intelligence (AEI) and Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) in mental health outcomes among Palestinian battered and non-battered women. Moreover, the study looked for differences in mean scores of AEI and TEI and Mental Health Outcomes between battered and non-battered women. The contribution of AEI, TEI and Battering in the predicition of Mental Health Outcomes, and the main effects and interaction of AEI and TEI among battered and non –battered women were measured.
The target population of the study were 102 women from 14 institutions in the West Bank (61 battered, 41 non-battered), and their ages ranged between 20 until 59 years old (M = 36.90, SD = 9.68).
Results showed significant differences in all Mental Health Ouctomes between battered and non-battered women while no significant differences in their Emotional Intelligence was found. The researcher also measured the relationaship between the variables by using Multiple Linear Regression Test to learn about the relationship between women’s trait EI, Ability EI, and their Mental Health Outcomes, with women’s mental health outcomes as the dependent variable. The findings showed significant partial correlation between Battering and TEI and Mental Health Outcomes. However, we found significant partial correlation only between AEI and Anxiety. Moreover, for analyzing the main effects and interaction of EI and Battering on Mental Health Outcomes (Anxiety, Stress and Depression separately), the researher used the Two Way ANCOVA test analysis. The main results showed an effect of TEI on Anxiety and Depression, while AEI affects only Anxiety. Moreover, Battering affected more Stress and Depression than Anxiety. The predictive characteristics of AEI, TEI, and Battering on Mental Health Outcomes, as well as the implication of the results, were discussed.
Keywords: Battered Women; Emotional Intelligence; Gender Based Violence; Mental Health Outcomes; Palestinian Context.