Effectiveness of emotional intelligence on mood profile in female student athletes

For most athletes, sport is considered an emotional experience, and negative emotions can disrupt physical and mental performance. Accordingly, it is necessary for athletes to maintain emotional composure before, during and after competition. The present study was conducted with the aim to assess effectiveness of training components of emotional intelligence on mood of female student athletes. This applied study used quasi-experimental design with pre posttest approach. Of the study population comprising all female student athletes, 60 volunteers were selected and randomly divided into trial and control groups. Brunel Mood Scale was used for both groups in pretest and posttest. Emotional intelligence components were taught to the trial group in 11 sessions twice weekly. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS-18 using covariance analysis with 95% confidence. The results showed a significant increase in positive mood and reduction in negative mood in the trial group compared to the control. However, in variable of confusion as a negative mood, the difference between the two groups was insignificant. According to the present study findings, and in connection with previous studies, training components of emotional intelligence affects female student athletes’ moods. Thus, mental health experts, especially sports psychologists and school counselors can utilize positive outcomes of emotional intelligence training for their clients.