Effect of Group Teaching of Emotional Intelligence Components of Salovey and Mayer (۱۹۹۰) Model on Stigma in Cancer Patients

Background: Cancer stigma is an important issue in cancer patients and affects the follow-up, adherence, and acceptance of treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to take action to reduce cancer stigma. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of group training of emotional intelligence components of Salovey and Mayer’s (۱۹۹۰) model on stigma in cancer patients. Methods: This clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design was performed on ۵۲ patients with cancer admitted to Omid Oncology Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, during ۲۰۱۸-۲۰۱۹. The participants were selected by the convenience sampling method and randomly allocated to two groups of intervention (n=۲۵) and control (n=۲۷). The intervention group received emotional intelligence group training based on Salovey and Mayer’s (۱۹۹۰) model during ۱۰ sessions. The control group received routine care during the study. The data collection tool was the Cancer Stigma Scale. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software (version ۲۵) using the paired t-test and independent t-test. A p-value of less than ۰.۰۵ was considered the significant level. Results:: Based on the results, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the mean total stigma score in the pretest (P=۰.۴۶). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the changes in the mean total stigma score after the intervention (P<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Emotional intelligence group teaching can be effective in reducing stigma in cancer patients. Therefore, it is suggested to use emotional intelligence teaching to reduce stigma in cancer patients in oncology hospitals.

Keywords:

emotional intelligence , group teaching , cancer , stigma