The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Fear of Pain in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

This study aimed to investigate the effect of emotional intelligence levels on the fear of pain for patients undergoing surgical intervention.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 254 patients.

Data were collected using the Personal Characteristics Information Form, Modified Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale, Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III, and Numerical Pain Form. A correlational analysis was performed.

The mean age of patients was 47.33 ± 17.70 years, and 57.9% (n = 147) were female. More than half of the patients (n = 174) were experiencing a certain degree of preoperative pain. A positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between the mean scores of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III and the Emotional Intelligence Scale. Female patients had significantly more fear of pain and higher scores in the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (optimism/mood regulation, utilization of emotions) and the Emotional Intelligence Scale.

The patients who manage "optimism/mood regulation" and have increasing levels of Emotional Intelligence could have a relatively higher fear of experiencing severe pain in the preoperative period. Despite the fear of experiencing severe pain, the patients tried to turn this negative situation into a positive one, as the dimensions of their emotional intelligence that provide and manage optimism/mood regulation were at a high level. The increasing level of Emotional Intelligence and "appraisal of emotions" might result in a decrease in the levels of fear of "minor pain" and "medical pain".