Emotional intelligence in psoriasis patients as a determinant of acceptance of illness

Introduction. Studies confirm the relationship of emotional intelligence with various aspects of human functioning. It is a factor protecting the mental and physical health of people, helping them to adapt to new conditions and, consequently, contributes to a more adaptive functioning, even in illness. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disease, may have a negative impact on the patient's mental state and his social functioning, leading to a reduction in quality of life.

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and acceptance of illness by people with psoriasis.

Material and methods. The study group consisted of 81 persons with psoriasis (41 women and 40 men) with a mean age of 41 years (SD = 14.18). The study employed the Emotional Intelligence questionnaire of Schutte and colleagues (INTE), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) by Felton, Revenson and Hinrichsen, a personal questionnaire and a scale to measure psoriasis intensity.

Results. There was no statistically significant relationship between global emotional intelligence and acceptance of the disease in the studied group of patients with psoriasis. However, the use of emotions in thinking and acting (the first factor) correlated positively with acceptance of the disease.

Conclusions. Emotional intelligence as a whole is not a determinant of acceptance of illness in patients with psoriasis. Nevertheless, the first factor (the use of emotions in thinking and acting) explains about 9% of the variability in disease acceptance (β= 0.342) and can be regarded as its indicator.