Abstract

Objectives: Considering the relation of emotional quotient (EQ) with problem solving and choosing suicide as a method of solving problems, this study was carried out with the aim of evaluating emotional quotient in women who had attempted suicide using poisoning.

Method: In a retrospective (causal-comparative), semi-experimental study, 80 women who had attempted suicide by poisoning were selected using convenience sampling from among patients presenting to the emergency department of Noor Hospital in Isfahan (Iran), as the experimental group. Also, 80 normal women were randomly selected from among the visitors of the Internal Medicine Ward of same Hospital. Both groups were examined using Bar-on Emotional Quotient Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of differences.

Results: Results of multivariate data analysis showed that total EQ score and its sub-scales were significantly lower in the suicidal group in comparison with the control group (p<0.001). Also, according to the results of analysis of difference, along with the cut-off point of 253.86, for separating the normal and suicidal groups, both the specificity and sensitivity of Bar-on Emotional Quotient Questionnaire were calculated to be 100%.

Conclusion: EQ is lower in women attempting suicide than normal women. Low EQ can be considered as a risk factor for suicide.