The Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence in Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms After Radiotherapy in Lung Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases

Objective: We aimed to investigate the association of trait emotional intelligence (TEI), anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in lung cancer individuals with brain metastases receiving radiotherapy.

Methods: A total of 289 individuals with brain metastases from lung cancer after radiotherapy participated. Data were collected from October 2018 to December 2022. Data were collected on variables such as patient demographics, medical characteristics, TEI, anxiety, depression, and QoL. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data.

Results: Correlation coefficients between TEI and anxiety, depression, and QoL scores were −0.451 (P = .007), −0.580 (P = .002), and 0.391 (P = .009). The correlation coefficient for depression and QoL was −0.433 (P = .008). Anxiety and depression mediate the positive correlation between trait EI and QoL.

Conclusion: Individuals with high idiosyncrasies of emotional intelligence are able to more effectively regulate negative emotions associated with cancer symptoms and treatment, and thus better perceive QoL. Trait EI training can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and further improve the QoL of lung cancer individuals. 

Cite this article as: Wang T, Ma H, Fan Y, Guo Y, Huang L, Chen W. The role of trait emotional intelligence in quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms after radiotherapy in lung cancer patients with brain metastases. Alpha Psychiatry. 2024;25(3):401-406.