Effectiveness of the videogame “Spock” for the improvement of the emotional intelligence on psychosocial adjustment in adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this study was to experimentally assess to what extent the video game “Spock” improves the emotional intelligence and psychosocial adjustment of adolescents. The study was carried out on a cohort of 92 adolescents aged 17 to 18. Measurements were made by using the following instruments: Trait Emotional Intelligence Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF); Behaviour Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2); Teacher Rating Scales (TRS, BASC-T3); and Self Report of Personality (SRP, BASC-S3). The study followed a quasi-experimental design, with pre-test/post-test repeated measurements and with a control group. To assess the impact of the programme, a descriptive (average and standard deviations) analysis and an analysis of variance (ANOVAs) was carried out on the experimental and control cohort at the pre-test stage, as well as a descriptive and covariance analysis of the post-test scores (ANCOVA post-test with the pre-test co-variants). Moreover, the effect size was evaluated with the “d” of Cohen. The results confirm the significant differences in trait emotional intelligence, overall behaviour, problem externalization, adaptive skills and personal adjustment as a result of the programme implemented. In addition, the results of the ANCOVA post-test show that the changes stimulated by the programme were similar in both sexes. Accordingly, this study experimentally validates an effective intervention tool, emphasizing the importance of implementing programmes aimed at encouraging emotional intelligence throughout adolescence.