Emotional intelligence, alexithymia, and interpersonal problems

The aim of this study was to examine the relations of emotional intelligence with alexithymia and interpersonal problems in a sample of students. A correlational analysis was performed to assess the kind of association that exists between emotional intelligence, alexithymia and interpersonal problems. Three hundred and fifty seven students (147 boys, 210 girls) from the University of Tehran were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20), and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). Analysis of the data involved both descriptive and inferential statistics including means, standard deviations, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients and regression analysis. The results revealed that emotional intelligence was negatively associated with both alexithymia and different aspects of interpersonal problems including assertiveness, sociability, intimacy, and responsibility. Results of regression analysis revealed that emotional intelligence can predict alexithymia and interpersonal problems regarding assertiveness, sociability, intimacy, and responsibility. It can be concluded that emotional intelligence is associated with alexithymia and interpersonal problems. Results and implications are discussed.