An exploratory study of the existence of emotional intelligence abilities in the narratives of heterosexual women who have left abusive relationships

This qualitative narrative study examines the stories of six heterosexual women who left abusive relationships with men and employs the Mayer-Salovey ability model of emotional intelligence as the basis from which their narratives are explored. No known research has examined emotional intelligence as it relates to women who have experienced interpersonal abuse. Findings indicate that the four branches contained in the Mayer-Salovey ability model of emotional intelligence are represented in each of the women's narratives in this study. Analysis of the data revealed numerous themes linked to the model, including awareness, anger, self-esteem, shame, empathy, the physical experience of emotion, verbal expression of complex emotions, transition of emotions, coping strategies, decision-making, overcoming obstacles, feeling responsibility for abuse, child abuse and counselling. Suggestions for future research and implications for counselling are addressed.