A Local Study on Emotional Intelligence

            In the blog I posted on 29 October 2010, I discussed both IQ and EQ, and I concluded that both of them are important.  There is often very little hard evidence, particularly in the Philippine context, that would support such claims.  To be honest, most of the literature I would base my comments upon are studies and texts written by foreign authors, typically from the United States.  However, being a teacher in a local University enables me to be in touch with some research that is being done locally, sometimes even before any results are published in a journal or book. 

           One such study was done by a faculty member from Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, Dr. Chelo Wapaño.  Essentially, she explored two things:  what were the significant predictors of emotional intelligence and how are adolescents who are emotionally intelligent different from those who are less so. 

            Dr. Chelo conducted her study in Cagayan de Oro City, and involved 300 college students there.  After going through her seemingly technical and complicated study, Dr. Chelo found out that the youngsters were deemed more emotionally intelligent when: 

• Their parents used the authoritative parenting style (as discussed in my post dated 04 February 2011) in bringing them up.  This style entails a child-centered environment that considers the sentiments of the child but also challenges them to give their best and to do more. 
• Adolescents tended to react less negatively to situations.  This means that these children are more positive in their interpretations of circumstance and events in their lives.  They are more willing to give themselves and others the benefit of the doubt.  
• The youth are more willing to exert some effort in containing their emotional reactions before they fully express them.  They are more thoughtful in what they eventually show to others. 

             The study also found out that the Filipino adolescents who were judged to be more emotionally intelligent (have higher EQ’s) tended to: 

• Feel that they are able to deal with their situations more effectively.  They have a better sense of effectiveness in dealing with the circumstances that they confronted. 
• Display habits and characteristics related to psychological resiliency (as explained in my post dated 03 June 2011).  They are better able to cope with both everyday hassles and tragic adversities. 
• Have less bouts with depression and anxiety, the two most prevalent mental health issues. 

             So, there it is.  We now have empirical evidence in the local setting that emotional intelligence or EQ is an important factor that leads to psychological resiliency and stress resistance.  Although it is more easily developed among children who have a basic temperament of emotional control and optimism, the style of parenting used also influences its development in a person.  Using the authoritative style of parenting is the best style in nurturing this among our young. 

Ang Bagong Ama (The New Father)

            For some of you who bring your children to school or are active in the parent associations of your children’s schools, you might notice that there are more and more fathers getting involved in our children’s education and day-to-day upbringing.  Although this was traditionally the mothers’ job, men are starting to take on this role.  One of my colleagues, Melissa Garabiles, did her thesis on this topic and found out some interesting information about this emerging phenomenon in Phlippine society. 

            Apart from the stay-at-home father phenomenon that has been happening in many developed countries, the changing demographics of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) have led to this shift of parenting roles in our country.   According to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the numbers of Filipino women leaving the country to work overseas has been increasing over the past 2 decades, and has surpassed the number of men leaving the country in some of the years past.  With this feminization of our OFW’s, there are more children left in the country with only their fathers to take care of them.  Melissa called them the “Bagong Ama (new father).” 

            The research that Melissa undertook identified the factors that helped our Bagong Ama to achieve a sense of wellbeing.  She identified the following: 

• That the men continued to perceive themselves as the head of the family, and maintained the traditional position of a father in the Filipino household. 
• Despite this acknowledgement of their role as the head of the family, they were also able to adjust to their new role as the main caregiver in the home and the manager of the household.  They also adjusted to the idea that their wives are the one’s bringing home the bacon.  This led to a more egalitarian relationship between husband and wife.  
• They also see themselves as the primary teachers of their children, seeing the need for them to impart what they know, their beliefs and value system to their children. 
• These men were also able to seek the support of their peers—old friends and new ones who share their situation as a single parent.  Many of these Bagong Ama found themselves joining church groups and other socio-civic organizations.  

            Melissa also took a look at the level of involvement these fathers had in raising their children.  She found that our Bagong Ama tended to get more involved in child rearing on a day-to-day basis when they: 

•  Feel confident about their abilities in performing this role;
•  Can see that what they do brings about results, that they are effective;
•  Have the unwavering support of their wives who are overseas;
•  Possess the support of extended family members in performing this role; and 
•  Are able to access the help and support of their friends and peers. 

             This study is very relevant for us Filipinos as it helps us understand the plight of the OFW’s, as it changes the context of the basic unit of our society—the family.  In a way, it breaks the stereotype of men who have to project a macho image and be involved only in manly things.  It also helps us reconsider the stories we have heard of unemployed men who abuse alcohol and family members.  It is a positive look at factors that appear to matter in the adjustment of men in the novel situation of being the only caregiver at home.  In identifying these factors, these men can direct their efforts in helping themselves.  Those around them can also contribute in accepting this new role and supporting them in happily fulfilling it. 

Psychological Resiliency

            Jose and Rico are siblings.  They are about 2 years apart, and they have similar interests.  Jose is more reserved and shy, and often relies on his younger brother for many things.  Rico, on the other hand, is very active and has many ideas.  He likes solving problems and is able to express himself fairly well.  They have parents who are constantly present and always ready to lend them a helping hand. 

            One day, the two children are caught in the middle of a tragic vehicular accident, where the driver lost his life.  The two children could have lost their lives, but somehow survived.  They were in the hospital for two weeks, where their conditions were critical at some point in time.  Two weeks after leaving the hospital, Jose started to have nightmares.  He also had bouts of anxiety and avoided riding cars at all cost. 

            Although the brothers went through the same life threatening event, the reactions of the two boys are obviously different.  Given such information, many people will easily make the conclusion that perhaps Jose is “weaker” than his brother Rico.  Maybe he is more “sensitive” and can’t deal with stress as well.  In a way, such assertions can be quite dangerous, as it tends to downplay the strengths that individuals have, and assume that certain reactions are caused by their general weakness.  There is a presumption that some people are not as robust as others, and overlooks the fact that each one has individual strengths that need to be appreciated. 

            So, what is the difference between Jose and Rico?  How is it that their reactions to this stressful event different.  Many psychologists have studied similar questions and came up with the idea of psychological resiliency.  In summary, these are resources that allow a person to be able to bounce back quicker amidst adversity.  These studies have been crucial in identifying specific resources and behaviors that spell the difference between what might be more or less resilient. 

            Essentially, there are external and internal resources that are thought to be crucial in making people more resilient.  External resources include those that are present and available to a person in his or her environment.  Internal resources are personal characteristics, habits, and behaviors that help a person deal with hassles more effectively.  External resources often include the following: 

-   having trusting and supportive relationships (e.g., understanding and affirming family members, supportive friends, etc.); and   

-   having access to basic services (i.e., health care, education, security, welfare, etc.).     

As for internal resources, optimism and a belief in one’s capacity to deal with one’s situation are crucial.  People are more resilient when they:   

-   feel lovable and appealing;

-   have pride in themselves and feel a sense of competence;  

-   can be independent and responsible;

-   are able to express themselves adequately;

-   hone their skills in solving problems;

-   have the skills to manage feelings and impulses;

-   foster a healthy sense of humor; and  

-   have a belief in something higher than themselves (e.g., hope, transcendence, morals, God). 

            As these factors have been identified, we can help ourselves and our children become more resilient or stress-proof by honing the skills involved.  Knowing that these internal resources can be developed and learned is important, as it demystifies what makes a person more effective in managing difficult situations.  This knowledge also highlights our need to be able to support each other in adversity, and to extend our helping hand to those who have a greater need than ourselves.   

            Fortunately for Jose, he was able to get the help that he needed, and continues to learn the various skills that enable him to deal with stress and adversity more effectively.  Having supportive family members and friends have also been helpful in his full recovery. 

Art Therapy

            How many among us have used any form of art to help ourselves get through a difficult time in our lives?  We often listen to music that reflects our moods or hum a tune that reflects our disposition at that time.  Some of us would write a journal, paint or draw, or even dance to express a sentiment or experience that we are having. 

            I have met a few people who profess that art helps them deal with the realities in their lives.  It helps them celebrate the positive, and go through the less pleasant, even painful, situations in their lives.  Art offers an avenue of expression, a way of making sense of an experience. 

            This is the basic principle that guides the practice of art therapy.  In expressing oneself using any art medium (i.e., visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, etc.), one is able to go through an experience and find growth and healing in the experience.  This is when we believe that art is therapeutic, and merely expressing oneself using an art form is enough for psychological healing to take place. 

            Now, it is easy to think at this point that one has to be trained and therefore very good in a particular art form in order to make art therapeutic.  Whereas this is the experience of many trained and talented artists, it is really not necessary to be schooled in a strict discipline of a particular art form for any of us to use art as a medium of expression.  In fact, we don’t have to be very good at it in order to use it as a therapeutic medium.  So, any of us would, in fact, benefit from expressing ourselves using any art form that we find at least suitable for us. 

            For many psychologists, the manner of expression used in a specific art form is also indicative of the experience and the feelings that punctuate it.  This means that our behaviors and the subtle choices that we make in going about doing an art form is also a source of information that can help us gain insight about ourselves and what we might be going through.  This process is often initiated through reflecting observations and asking clarifying questions.  With some reflection on one’s own thoughts and feelings, an individual can gain much insight and understanding of themselves and their process. 

            In effect, art can be therapeutic in itself.  Doing art can promote insight and can also be healing.  At the same time, the art product and the process that one goes through in this production can likewise be used as a means of making meaning and expounding on one’s experiences.  These two ways of understanding art in the context of counseling and psychotherapy, art as therapy and art in therapy, are the two main forces in the practice of art therapy. 

           In many countries, the practice of art therapy is governed by an organization of practitioners or, in some cases, even by law.  In the Philippines, there is neither such organization nor law that guides the practice of art therapy.  However, it is often seen as a specialized area of work for psychologists and artists.  Although I am not an art therapist and would not identify myself as such, I often incorporate art in my work with clients.  I find that clients, both children and adults, are sometimes better able to express themselves through means other than just talking.  

Stigma in the Name

            If you had a headache, would you like to be called an “acher” or simply a person with a headache?  When you are referred to as an “acher,” then this ache defines you.  The ache is who you are.  When you are referred to as the person who has a headache, then you are not defined by it.  It is simply something you have—you might suffer through this seldom or more often, but it clearly does not define you. 

            I must admit that this example I just gave is preposterous, even hilarious.  Who would ever think of calling oneself or another person an “acher,” (Is there even such a word?) just because that person had a physical ache of some sort.  I guess I wanted to show how parallel this example can be to what we frequently do with the diagnoses of many illnesses, not the least of which are mental illnesses.  For example, we often call a person who has Diabetes to be Diabetic.  As far a mental illnesses are concerned, there are more examples, such as, “manic” for those who are in a state of mania, “depressed” and “anxious” for those suffering from clinical depression or anxiety disorders, “phobic” for those with unusual fears, “schizophrenic” for those who have schizophrenia, etc.  The list goes on. 

            Although more cumbersome, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM, the American diagnostic manual used in diagnosing mental illnesses) recommends that we refer to persons as having this or that mental illness rather than making the diagnosis identify them.  On one hand, it is just a politically correct and accurate way of stating the condition of the person.  On the other, it de-stigmatizes the person and detaches them from their diagnosis.  They simply have this illness, rather than the illness being who they are. 

            This practice of saying that a person has a certain condition or illness can also be liberating.  It helps the person think of themselves as being greater than what it is they have.  It also helps others to see that these people who have this or that condition or illness have other characteristics and traits that make them persons, and not simply a category in one’s minds.  And so, it is a perspective that offers further consideration and a potential for further growth.   

            In many everyday conversations, many of us are guilty of poking fun and trivializing people who may have a condition or mental illness.  Perhaps this is a response to the awkward and ignorant fear of the reality of mental illness in our midst.  It could also be a way of distancing this reality from our own experience, a way of denying that such a condition can befall us too.  We call such people by many names, names that we ourselves would never approve of being used on us.  And yet, many mental illnesses are treatable, just like many illnesses are.  This makes identifying the person to be that illness rather inaccurate and useless. 

            The stigma of mental illness is perpetuated by our own lack of understanding.  If we can only begin by referring to people to have such and such condition or mental illness, rather than identifying that person to be that illness, then maybe we can lessen the stigma of these conditions or mental illnesses.