Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence Training on Alexithymia of Male Students

Abstract

Background: Emotions are part of the human nature and are considered as one the necessities of human life. However, if left uncontrolled or unregulated, they will create problems for the individual and others. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of emotional intelligence training on alexithymia of male students with high levels of alexithymia. Materials and Methods: The statistical population consisted of undergraduate male students enrolled at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz between 2012 and 2013. Samples were selected via two stages by using the random cluster multistage method. The first stage involved distributing and collecting 623 measures of alexithymia (TAS-20) in the form of a multi-stage cluster between students and also selecting 40 individuals from those with scores of a higher standard deviation than the average in this scale. The second stage consisted of selecting 30 individuals who possessed the criteria for entering the groups. The test group after eight training sessions (two times a week) and the control group without any intervention simultaneously completed the post-test. For data analysis, analysis of univariate covariance (ANCOVA) was used. Results: Statistical analysis showed that emotional intelligence training affected male students with alexithymia (Eta2 = 0.77 and P < 0.0001 and F = 92.27) and the mean score of emotional alexithymia related to the experimental group reduced from 67.80 to 51.60. Conclusions: According to these findings, emotional intelligence can be taught in order to reduce the level of students’ alexithymia and improve emotional problems in individuals with high alexithymia.