What are the effects of emotional intelligence (EI) skills development training?

From the Guidelines

Emotional intelligence skills development training has a profound impact on improving emotional regulation, anxiety symptoms, and parent-child relationships, particularly in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, as evidenced by recent studies such as the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C) trial 1. The effects of emotional intelligence skills development training can be seen in various aspects of an individual's life, including:

• Improved emotional regulation: Studies have shown that MBCT-C is associated with improved clinician- and child-rated anxiety symptoms as well as parent-rated emotional regulation 1.
• Reduced anxiety symptoms: Increased mindfulness has been linked to decreased anxiety in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder 1.
• Enhanced parent-child relationships: The reducing unwanted stress in the home (RUSH) program has been shown to improve parent-child relationships in offspring of parents with bipolar disorder, with parents exhibiting increased positivity, decreased negativity, and improved dyadic mutuality in observer-rated interactions 1. These training programs typically incorporate techniques such as:
• Mindfulness exercises: MBCT-C includes mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral techniques to target anxiety symptoms and improve emotional regulation 1.
• Cognitive behavioral techniques: The RUSH program uses a cognitive behavioral approach to target risk factors in the family environment associated with negative outcomes in offspring of parents with bipolar disorder 1.
• Experiential learning and role-playing: These methods can help individuals practice emotional intelligence skills, such as emotional labeling and conflict resolution, in a safe and supportive environment. To achieve optimal results, individuals should engage in consistent practice, including:
• Regular group sessions: Weekly group sessions, such as those used in MBCT-C and RUSH, can provide a supportive environment for individuals to practice emotional intelligence skills 1.
• Daily personal practice: Practicing techniques like mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and emotional labeling for 15-30 minutes daily can help individuals develop and maintain emotional intelligence skills. By incorporating emotional intelligence skills development training into daily routines, individuals can experience significant improvements in emotional regulation, anxiety symptoms, and relationships, ultimately leading to enhanced overall wellbeing and quality of life.

From the Research

Effects of Emotional Intelligence Skills Development Training

• The development of emotional intelligence (EI) skills through training has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being 2.
• EI training can serve as a protective factor for sustaining mental health during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic 2.
• Emotion regulation skills, which are a key component of EI, can be enhanced through training, leading to improved well-being and reduced job stress 3.
• Training programs that focus on emotion-focused skills, such as Emotion-Focused Skills Training (EFST), can lead to significant improvements in parental mental health, emotion regulation, and self-efficacy 4.

Mechanisms of EI Skills Development Training

• The development of EI skills can lead to increased mindfulness, which can mediate the effects of training on mental health outcomes 5.
• EI training can also lead to improved emotion regulation strategies, such as acceptance, tolerance, and modification of negative emotions 3.
• The effects of EI training can be sustained over time, with some studies showing maintained improvements in mental health outcomes at follow-up assessments 4, 2.

Applications of EI Skills Development Training

• EI training can be applied in various settings, including the workplace, to enhance well-being and reduce job stress 3.
• EI training can also be used to support parents of children with mental health difficulties, leading to improved parental mental health and emotion regulation 4.
• Online EI training programs can be effective in sustaining mental health during real-life crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic 2.