Emotional intelligence training as a protective factor for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a major challenge to mental health and emotional wellbeing. The present study examined whether training in emotional intelligence (EI) skills, provided before the pandemic, would serve as a protective factor for sustaining mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.

Methods: Data came from a longitudinal study (N = 89) that was initially designed to test the effectiveness of an EI training program versus a non-emotion-focused placebo program.