Inteligencia emocional en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de sustancias en un Centro Especializado en Tratamiento a Personas con Consumo Problemático de Alcohol y otras Drogas, Cuenca-Azuay, 2025-2026

Abstract

Emotional intelligence, understood as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own and others' emotions, plays an essential role in addiction treatment, especially in residential settings. Substance use disorder represents a public health problem that significantly affects the physical and mental health of individuals, as well as their social, work, and family life. This study aimed to determine the levels of emotional intelligence in patients with substance use disorder according to sociodemographic variables and substance use history at the Cuenca-Azuay Rehabilitation and Addiction Center, 2025. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted with 36 patients in residential treatment. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), supplemented by a sociodemographic and substance use history questionnaire. The results showed that the predominant dimension was the use of emotions (M = 22.5). 52.8% presented high levels of emotional intelligence and 44.4% medium levels, with significant interindividual variability observed. The highest levels were associated with ages between 30 and 39 years, living with a partner or alone, and alcohol and tobacco use, while the lowest score was recorded in emotional understanding of others. Most patients showed preserved emotional skills, which could promote therapeutic adherence and coping; however, strengthening emotional understanding and regulation is a key component for optimizing rehabilitation programs.