Effectiveness of social skills training on emotional intelligence of people with physical disabilities

This research investigated the impact of social skills training on emotional intelligence of people with physical disability in Mashhad city، Iran. A quasi-experimental design was used in this study (pre-post test with sham control group). The statistical society of study was included of all physical disabled people (108 subjects) in the charity educational complex (Tavanyaban Mashhad، Iran). Following the initial screening، 30 individuals with the most insufficiency in the terms of social skills and emotional intelligence were selected. They were randomly assigned into two experimental and sham control groups. The experimental group received social skills education during 15 sessions. Social skills inventory of Regio and Bar–On questionnaire were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The experimental and sham control groups were significantly different in interpersonal relations [F (1، 22) = 13. 61، P = 0. 01]، intrapersonal relations [F (1، 22) = 24. 02، P = 0. 01]، adaptability [F (1، 22) = 20. 47، P < 0. 01]، stress management [F (1، 22) = 8. 69، P = 0. 01]، general mood [F (1، 22) = 13. 55، P = 0. 00] and the overall emotional intelligence [F (1، 22) = 22. 16، P = 0. 02]. Social skills training had the greatest effect on the interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships، general mood، adaptability and minimum effect on stress management. It seems that learning social skills increases the overall level of emotional intelligence in subjects with physical disability and therefore improves the mental-social health level in these people.