The relationship between emotional intelligence, distress disclosure, and psychological distress among Egyptian illicit substance users

Objective: This study aimed to examine the role of emotional intelligence (EI) and distress disclosure in psychological distress among Egyptian illicit substance users. Methods: A total number of 65 participants (59 males, Mean age = 32.6 years, SD = 7.4) completed the Distress Disclosure Index (DDI), the Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Linear regression was used to test the study hypotheses. Results: Distress disclosure was associated with emotional intelligence, explaining 9.4% of the variance. Neither distress disclosure nor emotional intelligence could predict psychological distress (β=0.396 and -0.170 respectively, p<0.05). Conclusion: Although distress disclosure tendency was associated with emotional intelligence, no associations were found between distress disclosure and emotional intelligence with psychological distress. Further replications of the study in larger samples are needed.