Emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and relapse among individuals with alcohol use disorder in Uganda

Abstract

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a major challenge globally and Uganda has the highest consumption rate among the WHO member states. Relapse remains a major barrier in successful treatment of addictive behaviors and it’s associated to emotional intelligence and self- efficacy among other factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and relapse among individuals with alcohol use disorder in Uganda. Purposive sampling method was used to select a sample of 80 respondents that received treatment for AUD at Butabika Hospital. Respondents were assessed for alcohol use disorder using the AUDIT and relapse using the formulated relapse questionnaire. Data was collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) and general self-efficacy scale. Data was computer analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Spearman product Moment Correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the variables. Results showed that majority of the respondents (52.5%) scored high EI while a significant number (47.5%) scored low EI. It also revealed that majority of the respondents (65%) scored low SE and the minority (35%) scored high SE. However no significant relationship was found between Emotional intelligence, Self-efficacy and relapse to alcohol use disorder. Emotional Intelligence and Self-efficacy had a moderate positive relationship. Despite the findings individuals with a diagnosis of Alcohol use disorder and are of male gender or single or young at age should be followed regularly because they have an increased likelihood of relapse.