Emotional intelligence training in adjustment to physical disability and illness

Reactions to chronic illness and disability include experience of negative emotions, and these are linked to poor psychosocial adaptation and disability-related stress. The individual's cognitive appraisal of the disability influences both emotional response to and management of self, therefore managing these emotions will be central to the rehabilitation process. Emotional intelligence describes the ability to understand, perceive, use, and manage the emotions of self and others. This article explores the concept and suggests how the occupational therapist can enable the emotional adjustment of an individual coping with physical disability or illness through emotional intelligence training. It is suggested that the training and facilitation of emotional intelligence abilities can be developed in an effective therapeutic relationship and by engagement in specific therapeutic activities in an occupational therapy programme. Research into application of emotional intelligence training in occupational therapy is suggested to explore these ideas further.