254533 Relationship between emotional intelligence and use of alcohol, marijuana and tobacco

Monday, October 29, 2012

Edith Claros, PhD , School of Nursing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA
Manoj Sharma, MBBS, MCHES, PhD , Health Promotion & Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and use of alcohol, marijuana and tobacco smoke in college students. The sample consisted of 199 college students (119 men and 80 women). The constructs of EI were measured using the Schutte Self Report Inventory (SSRI), which evaluates EI based on the model developed by Salovey and Mayer. Included in the scale are four constructs of emotion (perceive, utilize, regulate and manage). Alcohol use was measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Marijuana use was measured with the Marijuana Screening Inventory (MSI) questionnaire and cigarette smoke was measured using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Results showed that on SRRI the construct of “utilize” was significantly and inversely related with the construct of MSI (r = -.333, p < .01) and SSRI's construct of “regulate” was significantly and inversely related to the constructs of AUDIT (r = -.216, p < .05) and MSI (r = - .268, p < .01). The SSRI construct of “manage” was significantly and inversely related with AUDIT (r = -.311 p < .01) and MSI (r = -.265 p < .01). An association between the EI constructs and cigarette smoking was not supported by this study. The study confirms that EI is a predictor of risky behaviors of alcohol and marijuana use. Individuals with high EI have capacity for understanding how and which emotions influence positive decision-making in daily living adding value to the need for building EI as a protective factor.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related nursing
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the basic constructs of emotional intelligence. 2. Explore hypotheses for emotional intelligence that may correlate with use of alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use in youth. 3. Discuss interventions for public health professionals in nurturing emotional intelligence in youth.

Keywords: Substance Abuse, Alcohol

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted the research study as part of a Dissertation for doctoral degree.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.