Trait emotional intelligence and its impact on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

Aims/Background Trait emotional intelligence is associated with anxiety and depression symptoms and quality of life in cancer patients. However, studies on the relationship of trait emotional intelligence with anxiety, depression, and quality of life in gastric cancer patients are limited. This study investigates the relationship of trait emotional intelligence with depression and quality of life in gastric cancer patients to provide a theoretical basis for clinical management. Methods A total of 270 patients with gastric cancer treated in our hospital from July 2020 to July 2023 were selected, of which 31 patients with missing questionnaire entries and missed visits were screened out, resulting in the enrolment of 239 gastric cancer patients in this study. In this survey, self-administered general information questionnaires, namely Trait Emotional Intelligence Short Form (TEIQue-SF), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. Results TEIQue-SF total scores were positively correlated with QLQ-C30 scores (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with HADS-A and HADS-D scores (p < 0.001). TEIQue-SF total score was a superior positive predictor of the QLQ-C30 score (β = 0.412, p < 0.001) and a superior negative predictor of the HADS score (β = –0.740, p < 0.001). TEIQue-SF total score (β = 0.141, p = 0.006) and HADS score (β = –0.665, p < 0.001) were good predictors of QLQ-C30 score. The direct effect of TEIQue-SF total score on QLQ-C30 score was 0.141, while HADS score between TEIQue-SF total score and QLQ-C30 score had a mediated effect value of 0.492. Conclusion Trait emotional intelligence not only directly affects the quality of life, but also indirectly affects the quality of life through anxiety and depression. Clinicians should pay attention to the anxiety, depression, and emotional intelligence of patients with gastric cancer to help them improve their quality of life.