Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Social Support and Mental Health of Institutionalized Elderly

Abstract: Many life circumstances such as physical health, income and social support, may decline in later adulthood, older adults who are higher in emotional intelligence may adjust their life goals and use more effective emotion regulation strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal, to enhance their life and their affective well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the emotional intelligence, social support and mental health of institutionalized elderly. Design: A correlational descriptive design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at Dar- El Saada geriatric home in Tanta city. Subjects: selected only 54 older adults who were passed by cognitive impairment test. Three tools used for this study: tool I: Emotional intelligence scale, tool II: Multidimensional perceived social support, tool III: General Health Questionnaire 28 item. Result: The results of this study showed that the majority of the studied subjects had low emotional intelligence. And there was low percentage of subjects (83.3%) had low social support levels. Also it was found that two thirds of the studied subjects had poorer mental health. Conclusions: The results concluded that there was a significant positive relation between emotional intelligence and social support. The study also found negative relation between emotional intelligence and poor mental health, also the study found a significant negative relation between mental health of elderly and their level of perceived social support. Recommendation: Future researches are needed to find out exactly how older adults with higher emotional intelligence cope with the changing life circumstances to maximize their well-being.