The term emotional intelligence was introduced by Salovey & Mayer. It is the individual's ability to perceive, evaluate and express emotions. It is also a set of abilities which enable an individual to function effectively and they are an important factor affecting the quality of life. The literature also has a synonymous concept of emotional competence which is a collection of already acquired skills used in specific social situations. Major depressive disorder represents an affective disorder having an impact on a human being's ability to regulate emotions. In their course, there are difficulties with adequate recognition of one's emotional states as well as emotional states of other people. Research indicates, among others, the relationship between emotional intelligence and the occurrence of suicidal thoughts and tendencies, prognosis of therapeutic interactions in patients. A high level of emotional intelligence is a protective factor in the occurrence of mental disorders, including depression, affects the treatment process and influences the creation of effective strategies for coping with stress. The paper presents reports on the level of emotional intelligence and its impact on the functioning of patients with major depressive disorders.
Keywords: depression; emotional competence; emotional intelligence; major depressive disorders.
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