Trait Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Wellbeing in Drug Addicts: A Correlational Study

The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship of Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) with psychological wellbeing in people who are drug dependent. After a detailed literature review the following hypotheses were formulated; 1) TEI will be positively correlated with autonomy. 2) TEI will be positively correlated with environmental mastery. 3) TEI will be positively correlated with personal growth. 4) TEI will be positively correlated with positive relations with others. 5) TEI will be positively correlated with a purpose in life. 6) TEI will be positively correlated with self acceptance. The sample of the present study consisted of 99 drug addicts. The age group of the entire sample was 18- 59 years (Mean age = 28.76, years, SD = 8.35). The sample was recruited from different drug rehabilitation centers in Karachi, Pakistan. Personal Information Form was used to record personal information of the participants. TEI Questionnaire-Short Form and Psychological Wellbeing Scale were administered to measure the Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Psychological Wellbeing, respectively. Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation ‘r’ was applied to determine the relationship of TEI with variables of Psychological Wellbeing. Overall analysis indicates a significant positive correlation with the variable of Psychological Wellbeing i.e., autonomy (r = .225, p <0.05), environmental mastery (r = .266, p <0.01), personal growth (r = .323, p <0.01), positive relations with others (r = .272, p <0.01), purpose in life (r= .200, p <0.05) and self-acceptance (r = .403, p <0.01). These findings may contribute to understand better the phenomena and also to consider these variables for better outcomes in their lives. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/ijptsud.v1i1.5909 International Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorder Vol.1(1) 2013: 28-37