Psychosocial Correlates of Trait Emotional Intelligence and Psychosomatic Symptoms Among Adolescents Exposed to Bullying and the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

Overview

This study examines the psychosocial correlates of trait emotional intelligence and psychosomatic symptoms among adolescents exposed to bullying and analyzes the effetiveness of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program through a randomized controlled trial. The study is two phased, in which the Phase 1 includes a cross sectional correlational survey that was administered to 403 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years studying in secondary schools and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan to analyze the relationships among childhood traumatic experiences, mindfulness, and level of bullying exposure with trait emotional intelligence and psychosomatic symptoms to identify eligible participants for Phase 2. In Phase 2, about 44 adolescents meeting eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to either an intervention group that received the 8 week MBSR intervention (n=22) or waitlist control group (n=22). Pre and post assessments were done to examine changes in trait emotional intelligence and psychosomatic symptoms, following the mbsr intervention.

Bullying exposure is a concerning issue, specially among adolescents. It often results in severe negative physical and psychological outcomes which also includes low emotional intelligence and increased psychosomatic symptoms. Although, there are many studies that have focused on observing the effectiveness of MBSR or Mindfulness based interventions for reducing stress and regulating emotions, but there are very limited studies that have examined these relationships or have tested MBSR as an intervention, solely for adolescents exposed to bullying. The current study has a two phased quantitative research design: Phase 1: Cross Sectional Correlational Survery In this phase, about 403 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years, currently studying in secondary schools and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan were recruited through purposive convinient sampling. They completed a standardized questionnaire including scales such as, Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS-24), the Paediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Adolescents Short Form (TEIQue-ASF) and the DSM 5 Level 2 Somatic Symptom Scale for Children aged 11 to 17. Phase 2: Randomized Controlled Trial Adolescents meeting the eligibility criteria based on Phase 1 screening were identified. These adolescents had scored at or above the 75th percentile on the MPVS-24, PEARLS and DSM 5 Level 2 Somatic Symptom indicating significant level of bullying exposure, childhood traumatic experiences and increased psychosomatic symptoms and at or below the 25th percentile on The MAAS and TEIQue-ASF showing low mindfulness and disturbed trait emotional intelligence. About 44 adolescents that were found eligible were randomized using computer generated random numbers in spss either into interventio group (n=22) who received 8 week MBSR through online platform having 90 minutes sessions and a waitlist control group (n=22) who did not receive any intervention during the study period. Assessor blinding was used throughout the process of data collection in which the research assistant administering assessments was kept unaware Of participants group assignments. Pre intervention baseline assesssments were conducted at Time 1 and post intervention assessements at Time 2. After the completion of the study, the waitlist control group received the MBSR program.