THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND PERSONALITY FACTORS IN PATIONTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (M.S.)

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common extensive neurological disease in young adults. Side effects and complications of the disease will lead to disability and dependency in life. Clinical results show that daily stressful events affect patient’s immune system and weaken and corrupt it. Various factors can reinforce or undermine these effects. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and personality factors in MS patients. The method of this study was correlative. The sample consisted of 150 patients (58 men and 92 women) of Association of MS patient support who referred to specialty and subspecialty clinics at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia city; the sampling method was accessible sampling. Emotional Bar–on Intelligence Questionnaire and Personality Inventory form (NEO - FFI- R) were research tools which was administered to patients. Statistical parameters including mean, standard deviation, T-test, correlation and regression coefficients of Multivariate were used for the analysis of the data. The results suggested that the components of emotional intelligence and personality factors had a significant relationship in patients with MS. There is a significant difference between male and female patients in the components of the emotional intelligence including responsibility, empathy, flexibility, stress tolerance, and solving problems. Among the five factor of personality, there were significant differences between males and females only in neuroticism aspect. Counseling, training the components of emotional intelligence and cognitive-behavioral treatment in addition to pharmacologic therapy were suggested for these patients.