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Emotional intelligence and addictions: a systematic review.
Bernadette Kun1, Zsolt Demetrovics
1Institutional Group on Addiction Research, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Substance Use & Misuse
|May 6, 2010
Summary
Lower emotional intelligence (EI) is linked to increased substance use, including smoking, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Key EI components in addiction are emotion decoding and regulation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing research links emotional intelligence (EI) to physical and mental health.
- The connection between EI and addictive disorders is less understood.
- Substance use disorders represent a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and critically evaluate the existing literature on the relationship between emotional intelligence and addictive disorders.
- To identify specific components of EI that are most relevant to addiction.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Inclusion criteria applied to 51 identified articles, with 36 meeting the criteria for analysis.
- Critical evaluation of the selected studies.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between lower levels of emotional intelligence and higher levels of substance use (smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs).
- Two core components of EI, "decoding and differentiation of emotions" and "regulation of emotions," were identified as playing a key role in addictive behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Emotional intelligence is a relevant factor in the development and maintenance of addictive disorders.
- Interventions aimed at improving emotion decoding, differentiation, and regulation may be beneficial in preventing and treating addiction.
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