Levels Of Emotional Awareness Scale Research Articles

Emotional awareness for self and others and empathic abilities in clinical depression during acute illness and recovery

BackgroundThe present longitudinal investigation had two major goals. First, we intended to clarify whether depressed patients are characterized by impairments of emotional awareness for the self and the other during acute illness and whether these impairments diminish in the course of an inpatient psychiatric treatment program. Previous research based on the performance measure Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) provided inconsistent findings concerning emotional self-awareness in clinical depression. Second, we investigated whether cognitive and affective empathic abilities change from acute illness to recovery in depressed patients.MethodsFifty-eight depressed patients were tested on admission and after 6–8 weeks of inpatient psychiatric treatment. A sample of fifty-three healthy individuals were also examined twice at an interval of 6–8 weeks. The LEAS and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) were administered to assess emotional awareness and empathic abilities. Written texts were digitalized and then analyzed using the electronic scoring program geLEAS, the German electronic Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale.ResultsDepressed patients reported more depressive symptoms than healthy controls and less severe depressive symptomatology at time 2 compared to time 1. Independent of time, depressed individuals tended to show lower geLEAS self scores and had lower geLEAS other scores than healthy individuals. Depressed patients showed higher personal distress scores than healthy individuals at both measurement times. No group differences were observed for the cognitive empathy scales of the IRI (perspective taking and fantasy) and empathic concern, but empathic concern decreased significantly in depressed patients from time 1 to time 2. Empathic abilities as assessed by the IRI were not significantly correlated with emotional awareness for others, neither in the whole sample, nor in the patient and control subsample.ConclusionsDepressed patients seem to be characterized by impairments in emotional awareness of others during acute illness and recovery, but they also tend to show deficits in emotional self-awareness compared to healthy individuals. Self-reported cognitive empathic abilities seem to be at normal levels in depressed patients, but their heightened self-focused affective empathy may represent a vulnerability factor for depressive disorders.

Emotional awareness is correlated with ambulatory heart rate variability: A replication and extension.

A positive association has previously been observed in healthy volunteers between emotional awareness (EA), the ability to identify and describe emotional experiences in oneself and others, and resting heart rate variability (HRV), which is dominated by vagus nerve activity. The current study aimed to investigate the EA-HRV association across multiple assessments in a "real-world" ambulatory context in patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS) who are at genetic risk for sudden cardiac death. Participants (157 LQTS patients; MeanAge = 35.1, SDAge = 10.4; 115 women) completed the levels of emotional awareness scale (LEAS) on one occasion, which served as our measure of EA. In an ecological momentary assessment study involving 10 assessments per day over three days, multiple 5-minute ECG assessments (Mean = 24.6, SD = 5.1) were obtained in each patient using a Holter monitor, from which high-frequency HRV (HF-HRV) was computed on each occasion. There was a significant positive association between LEAS scores and HF-HRV controlling for biobehavioral covariates. We also detected a similar inverse relation between EA and mean heart rate. These findings suggest that, in patients with a well-defined genetic risk for ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death, the ability to experience emotions in a complex and differentiated way covaries with greater parasympathetic influences on the heart. These findings are consistent with the overlapping neural substrates of EA and HRV and their common contribution to adaptive emotional responding, consistent with the Neurovisceral Integration Model.

Impaired emotional awareness is associated with childhood maltreatment exposure and positive symptoms in schizophrenia.

Evidence suggests that emotional awareness-the ability to identify and label emotions-may be impaired in schizophrenia and related to positive symptom severity. Exposure to childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for both low emotional awareness and positive symptoms. The current investigation examines associations between a performance-based measure of emotional awareness, positive symptom severity, and childhood maltreatment exposure in 44 individuals with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and 48 healthy comparison participants using the electronic Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (eLEAS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Patients demonstrated significant deficits in emotional awareness overall, which was true for both self and others. In patients, lower emotional awareness was significantly associated with more severe positive symptoms. Emotional awareness was significantly impaired in patients with schizophrenia with self-reported maltreatment exposure, relative to other groups. Severity of maltreatment was not significantly associated with emotional awareness or positive symptoms when looking continuously, and there was no significant indirect effect. These data suggest that emotional awareness impairments observed in schizophrenia may be exacerbated by exposure to childhood maltreatment, possibly putting individuals at greater risk for experiencing positive symptoms of psychosis.

Identifying and regulating emotions after acquired brain injury: the role of interoceptive sensibility.

Interoceptive deficits are associated with difficulties in identifying and regulating emotions. However, research on interoception after acquired brain injury (ABI) is scarce, and its relationship with emotional difficulties in this population is unknown. This study aimed to (1) examine differences in self-reported alexithymia, performance-based emotional awareness, emotion regulation, depression, and interoceptive sensibility between ABI and control individuals; and (2) analyze the role of adaptive interoceptive dimensions in these emotional processes after ABI. Forty-three individuals with ABI and 42 matched control individuals completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness-2, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Compared to the control group, individuals with ABI showed reduced tendency to ignore unpleasant sensations increased severity of depressive symptoms, as well as tendencies to have greater difficulties in emotion regulation and lower emotional awareness. Additionally, interoceptive dimensions such as trusting, as well as not-distracting from and not-worrying about bodily sensations, played a relevant role in explaining lower alexithymia and difficulties in emotion regulation. Moreover, lower alexithymia and emotion dysregulation were related to less depressive symptoms. These relationships were invariant across ABI and control individuals. Although individuals with ABI may have different levels of emotional abilities compared to non-ABI individuals, the relationship patterns between interoceptive and emotional processes appear to be similar between the two groups. This study suggests the potential benefit of addressing both interoceptive and emotional difficulties in treatments targeting such prevalent sequelae of ABI as depressive symptoms.

Emotionality and performance: An emotion-regulation approach to music performance anxiety

Emotion-regulation abilities and skills are important determinants of performance success, as they lead to emotional stability and psychological well-being in the course of practicing and performing. Research on musicians’ emotionality has revealed a positive relationship between music performance anxiety (MPA) and the temperamental factors of emotional reactivity, low self-esteem, and maladaptive coping, with sex as a moderator in these relationships. In the current study, we attempted to analyze the structure of the relationships between selected variables using the assumptions of the developmental model of human emotionality as a framework for a proposed MPA regulation model. Students at music academies ( N = 196) completed the EAS Temperament Survey, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the modified Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale, the Brief-COPE Inventory, and the revised Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory. The results confirm the regularities found in the general population, female musicians showing more intense negative emotionality, temperamental activity traits, emotional awareness, and the use of emotional support strategies. In turn, male musicians obtained medium results on measures of temperamental traits, and often used problem-orientation and perspective-change strategies for emotion regulation. In general, both male and female musicians scored within the medium range for MPA. Tests of the MPA regulation model showed two pathways from temperamental traits to coping strategies: from sociability to problem orientation, and from emotionality to perspective change. There was a positive relationship between the use of the problem-orientation strategy and MPA. The major predictor negatively related to MPA was the use of the perspective-change strategy. The direction of relationships may indicate that techniques for accepting experience are more effective than control techniques for reducing MPA in the context of public performance.

A - 150 Emotional Awareness in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury.

To examine emotional awareness in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) utilizing the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS). Thirty-nine individuals with moderate-severe TBI received the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) consisting of 10 scenarios. Each scenario contains two components: a self-component, where participants are required to describe how they would feel, and another component, where they describe how the other person in the scenario would feel. Individuals also received Empathy Scale (ES) and Empathy Quotient (EQ) to evaluate empathy as well as measures of quality of life (Quality of Life After Brain Injury QOLIBRI), satisfaction with life (SWL), and mood (Beck Depression Inventory-II BDI-II; State Trait Anxiety Inventory- STAI). Individuals with TBI had a mean age of 46.08 (12.67), education of 14.28 (1.90) years and were on the average 113.25 (104.63) months since injury. Results indicate that the LEAS is associated with empathy on both the ES r(39) =0.34, p = 0.034 and EQ r(39) =0.37, p = 0.019. The LEAS was not associated with QOLIBRI r(39) =0.09, p = 0.572, SWL r(39) = -0.18, p = 0.286, BDI-II r(39) =0.12, p = 0.453 or STAI r(39) =0.05, p = 0.758. Our data suggests individuals with TBI emotional awareness is associated with empathy, specifically lower emotional awareness is associated with lower empathy. Emotional awareness is not associated with quality of life, satisfaction with life or mood. Understanding the relationship between these two constructs may aide in where to target interventions to improve social outcomes for individuals with TBI.

The plasticity of ChatGPT's mentalizing abilities: personalization for personality structures.

This study evaluated the potential of ChatGPT, a large language model, to generate mentalizing-like abilities that are tailored to a specific personality structure and/or psychopathology. Mentalization is the ability to understand and interpret one's own and others' mental states, including thoughts, feelings, and intentions. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) are characterized by distinct patterns of emotional regulation. Individuals with BPD tend to experience intense and unstable emotions, while individuals with SPD tend to experience flattened or detached emotions. We used ChatGPT's free version 23.3 and assessed the extent to which its responses akin to emotional awareness (EA) were customized to the distinctive personality structure-character characterized by Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD), employing the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS). ChatGPT was able to accurately describe the emotional reactions of individuals with BPD as more intense, complex, and rich than those with SPD. This finding suggests that ChatGPT can generate mentalizing-like responses consistent with a range of psychopathologies in line with clinical and theoretical knowledge. However, the study also raises concerns regarding the potential for stigmas or biases related to mental diagnoses to impact the validity and usefulness of chatbot-based clinical interventions. We emphasize the need for the responsible development and deployment of chatbot-based interventions in mental health, which considers diverse theoretical frameworks.

The Kusa manga, a secondary prevention program for cannabis use in adolescence based on emotional regulation: Preliminary data

IntroductionFrance is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of cannabis use, particularly in adolescence. Emotional regulation (ER) is one of the major risk factor in the etiology and the maintenance of cannabis use disorder and therefore is a key target for prevention programs. ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the impact of a prevention program focusing on ER (especially on various emotional skills like awareness, emotional clarity and reactivity, ER strategies, and the level of emotional awareness) and on cannabis use among adolescents from various institutions. MethodIn total, 87 adolescents from various institutions were included. ER was assessed by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Emotion Reactivity Scale and the Adolescent Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale; cannabis use was assess by the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). All participants were assess before preventive intervention (T0) and four months after the end of the program (T1). ResultsBetween T0 and T1, for all participants, there was an increase of emotional awareness, a decrease of emotional sensitivity, intensity and persistence, and an increase of the level of emotional awareness (total, self and others). There was no significant difference between T0 and T1 in CAST scores. ConclusionsThe prevention program showed encouraging results with a vulnerable group of adolescents in institutional care, particularly those from the Child Social Care (Aide sociale à l’enfance) and Child Forensic Institution (Protection judiciaire de la jeunesse) by showing an effect on different components of ER but not directly on cannabis use.

ChatGPT outperforms humans in emotional awareness evaluations.

The artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, has gained widespread attention for its ability to perform natural language processing tasks and has the fastest-growing user base in history. Although ChatGPT has successfully generated theoretical information in multiple fields, its ability to identify and describe emotions is still unknown. Emotional awareness (EA), the ability to conceptualize one's own and others' emotions, is considered a transdiagnostic mechanism for psychopathology. This study utilized the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) as an objective, performance-based test to analyze ChatGPT's responses to twenty scenarios and compared its EA performance with that of the general population norms, as reported by a previous study. A second examination was performed one month later to measure EA improvement over time. Finally, two independent licensed psychologists evaluated the fit-to-context of ChatGPT's EA responses. In the first examination, ChatGPT demonstrated significantly higher performance than the general population on all the LEAS scales (Z score = 2.84). In the second examination, ChatGPT's performance significantly improved, almost reaching the maximum possible LEAS score (Z score = 4.26). Its accuracy levels were also extremely high (9.7/10). The study demonstrated that ChatGPT can generate appropriate EA responses, and that its performance may improve significantly over time. The study has theoretical and clinical implications, as ChatGPT can be used as part of cognitive training for clinical populations with EA impairments. In addition, ChatGPT's EA-like abilities may facilitate psychiatric diagnosis and assessment and be used to enhance emotional language. Further research is warranted to better understand the potential benefits and risks of ChatGPT and refine it to promote mental health.

Development and validation of a computer program for measuring emotional awareness in German-The geLEAS (German electronic Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale).

Emotional awareness is the ability to identify, interpret, and verbalize the emotional responses of oneself and those of others. The Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) is an objective performance inventory that accurately measures an individual's emotional awareness. LEAS assessments are typically scored manually and are therefore both time consuming and cognitively demanding. This study presents a German electronic scoring program for the LEAS (geLEAS), the first non-English computerized assessment approach of the LEAS. Data were collected from a healthy German community sample (N = 208). We developed a modern software for computerizing LEAS scoring, an open-source text-based emotion assessment tool called VETA (Verbal Emotion in Text Assessment). We investigated if the software would arrive at similar results as hand scoring in German and if emotional awareness would show similar associations to sociodemographic information and psychometric test results as in previous studies. The most frequently used scoring method of the geLEAS shows excellent internal consistency (α = 0.94) and high correlations with hand scoring (r = 0.97, p < 0.001). Higher emotional awareness measured by the geLEAS is associated with female gender, older age, and higher academic achievement (all p < 0.001). Moreover, it is linked to the ability to identify emotions in facial expressions (p < 0.001) and more accurate theory of mind functioning (p < 0.001). An automated method for evaluating emotional awareness greatly expands the ability to study emotional awareness in clinical care and research. This study aims to advance the use of emotional awareness as a clinical and scientific parameter.

Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems : A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents

Introduction: Difficulties in emotional awareness (EA) are often linked to the risk of internalizing problems (IP). Most empirical studies have found this association but have not considered possible state- and trait-related fluctuations in EA and IP assessments. Aims: We tested the directionality of the state-level associations, that is, whether EA at Time 1 predicts IP at Time 2 or the other way around. In line with previous research, we hypothesized that low EA would predict a subsequent increase in IP, as difficulties in emotional awareness dispose one to emotional problems. As an alternative model, we tested the trait-level associations between EA and IP. We hypothesized that a negative latent correlation exists between EA and IP, as common factors may cause them to be associated at the trait level. Methods: Participants were 68 students who completed the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at two-time points with a one-month interval. We used the Cross-lagged Panel Model to test the state-level associations and structural equation modeling to test trait-level effects. Results: Results displayed no directional effect of EA on IP, and neither did IP predict EA within one month. However, we found a trait-level correlation between EA and IP. We discuss the preliminary results between state and trait level EA and IP in the context of the early developmental environment. Conclusions: This study is a preliminary test of state- and trait-level associations between EA and IP, which could be valuable for practitioners and clinicians.

Psychopathic tendencies are selectively associated with reduced emotional awareness in the context of early adversity.

It is unclear at present whether psychopathic tendencies are associated with lower or higher levels of emotional awareness (EA). Given that psychopathy includes a proficiency for manipulating others, one might expect an elevated ability to identify and use information about others' emotions. On the other hand, empathic deficits in psychopathy could arise from reduced emotional awareness. Further, heterogeneity in psychopathy may also play a role, wherein 'secondary' psychopathy is associated with early adversity and high negative affect, while 'primary' psychopathy is not. In this paper, we tested the relationship between EA and psychopathic tendencies in 177 undergraduate students (40 males) who completed the levels of emotional awareness scale (LEAS), the triarchic psychopathy measure (TPM), the affective (empathy-related) subscales of the interpersonal reactivity index (IRI), and two measures of early adversity: the childhood experiences of care and abuse questionnaire (CECA) and the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). We found that lower LEAS scores were associated with higher TPM and lower IRI empathy scores, but these relationships were primarily present in those with early adversity and high negative affect. This suggests that lower EA may be selectively associated with higher levels of secondary psychopathy, while those with higher levels of primary psychopathy remain capable of higher EA.

한국판 정서 인식 수준 척도 개발 및 타당화 연구

Objectives The Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) was developed to assess the emotional awareness construct, based on a cognitive-developmental perspective. This study aimed to develop the Korean version of LEAS (K-LEAS) and prove it's reliability and validity.&#x0D; Methods Through data from 218 university students, inter-rater reliability and internal consistency of K-LEAS were analyzed. Criterion validity were analyzed by the relationships with TAS-20, TMMS, DASS-21 and NEO-PI-RS.&#x0D; Results The results Showed high inter-rater reliability and internal consistency. K-LEAS scores were not significantly correlated with DASS-21 and total score of TAS-20, except externally-oriented thinking subscale in TAS-20. K-LEAS showed a significant positive correlation with only openness among NEO-PI- RSsubscales. In addition, women had significantly higher scores than men on K-LEAS, supporting the cross-cultural consistency in gender difference. In comparison between countries, the level of emotional awareness of Korean university students was similar to that of American university students, and higher than that of Japanese university students.&#x0D; Conclusions Although K-LEAS has sufficient reliability, it does not show convergent validity with existing self-report scale, which is suggested that K-LEAS measures emotional awareness ability in a different dimension from the self-report scale. Until now, Korean emotional research has tended to rely too much on self-report questionnaire research, and K-LEAS is expected to be used as a tool to evaluate individual emotional awareness ability not only in a subjective manner but also in objective performance.

« Retrouver le chemin de l’autre », évaluation de l’hospitalisation en soins/études de 33 adolescents

ObjectiveThe “care and studies” hospitalisation at the Dupré Clinic (Fondation Santé des étudiants de France; Students Health French Foundation) is an original setting that integrate a therapeutic and eco systemic residential approach with schooling for adolescents suffering from psychiatrics disorders. MethodA selection of standardised questionaries’ was proposed to a group of 70 adolescents hospitalized in “care and study”. The final sample of the group was composed of 33 adolescents at the entrance and 9 months later. We compared the results between T0 and T9. The battery of questionaries’ is composed of: YSR (Youth Self report), ADRS (Adolescent depression rating scale), RSQ (Relationship scale questionnaire), IPPA (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment), FACES IV (Family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scale), Rosenberg self esteem scale, LEAS (Level of emotional awareness scale) and a self subjective evaluation of psychological functioning. A committee of ethics and deontology approved the methodology. ResultsThe results (YSR, ADRS) show a significant effect on reduction of internalised disorder at 9 months, especially in the measures of anxiety, depression and withdrawal. The RSQ results confirm significative less anxiety in the patient's relationship with others. Adolescents witness a feeling of a better global functioning. On the other hand, no evolution was observed in the measure of emotional consciousness (LEAS) and in the family functioning form an adolescent's perspective. ConclusionsThis study offers new clinical perspective based on the results. We proposed a few reflexions in the treatment of emotional disorder and in the domain of family therapy intervention.

Exploring the Latent Structure and Convergent and Incremental Validity of the Metacognition Assessment Scale – Abbreviated in a Sample of Patients with Non-Affective Psychosis

Synthetic metacognition is a heterogeneous construct related to psychotic disorders. One important tool to assess this construct is the Metacognition Assessment Scale – Abbreviated (MAS-A). In this study, we investigated the latent structure as well as the interrater reliability and convergent and incremental validity of the MAS-A in a sample of patients with non-affective psychosis. Analyses indicated that the scale might be one-dimensional. Interrater reliability of the MAS-A total score was good. In terms of convergent validity, correlational analyses showed significant associations of MAS-A metacognition with the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Level of Structural Integration Axis (OPD-LSIA) and the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS). In terms of construct validity, a significant association was observed between MAS-A metacognition and a short version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (MINI-ICF), which persisted after self-report measures of impairments in structural capacities (Structure Questionnaire of Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis [OPD-SQS]) and mentalizing abilities (Mentalization Questionnaire [MZQ]) were included as covariates, but not after symptom dimensions were included. There was a significant correlation with the current living situation, but not with other external criteria like diagnosis or duration of illness. Future studies should explore alternative outcomes and replicate results in longitudinal designs.

Measuring Emotional Awareness in Patients With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders.

The ability to mentalize (i.e., to form representations of mental states and processes of oneself and others) is often impaired in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Emotional awareness (EA) represents one aspect of affective mentalizing and can be assessed with the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS), but findings regarding individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are inconsistent. The present study aimed at examining the usability and convergent validity of the LEAS in a sample of N = 130 stabilized outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. An adequacy rating was added to the conventional LEAS rating to account for distortions of content due to, for example, delusional thinking. Scores of the patient group were compared with those of a matched healthy control sample. Correlation with symptom clusters, a self-report measure of EA, a measure of synthetic metacognition (MAS-A-G), and an expert rating capturing EA from the psychodynamic perspective of psychic structure (OPD-LSIA) were examined. Regarding self-related emotional awareness, patients did not score lower than controls neither in terms of conventional LEAS nor in terms of adequacy. Regarding other-related emotional awareness, however, patients showed a reduced level of adequacy compared to controls whereas no such difference was found for conventional LEAS scores. Higher conventional LEAS scores were associated with fewer negative symptoms, and higher structural integration of self-perceptions measured by the OPD-LSIA. Higher adequacy of responses correlated with fewer symptoms of disorganization as well as excitement, higher scores of self-reflection on the MAS-A-G as well as self- and object-perception and internal and external communication as measured by the subscales of the OPD-LSIA. Findings suggest that the LEAS might not be sensitive enough to detect differences between mildly symptomatic patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and healthy controls. However, LEAS ratings are still suitable to track intraindividual changes in EA over time. Observing the adequacy of patients’ responses when using the LEAS may be a promising way to increase diagnostical utility and to identify patterns of formal and content-related alterations of mentalizing in this patient group. Methodological indications for future studies are discussed.

Levels of Emotional Awareness: Theory and Measurement of a Socio-Emotional Skill.

Emotional awareness is the ability to conceptualize and describe one’s own emotions and those of others. Over thirty years ago, a cognitive-developmental theory of emotional awareness patterned after Piaget’s theory of cognitive development was created as well as a performance measure of this ability called the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS). Since then, a large number of studies have been completed in healthy volunteers and clinical populations including those with mental health or systemic medical disorders. Along the way, there have also been further refinements and adaptations of the LEAS such as the creation of a digital version in addition to further advances in the theory itself. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the evolving theoretical background, measurement methods, and empirical findings with the LEAS. The LEAS is a reliable and valid measure of emotional awareness. Evidence suggests that emotional awareness facilitates better emotion self-regulation, better ability to navigate complex social situations and enjoy relationships, and better physical and mental health. This is a relatively new but promising area of research in the domain of socio-emotional skills. The paper concludes with some recommendations for future research.

The effects of psychodrama on the emotional awareness and communication skills of psychiatric nurses: A randomized controlled trial

Psychiatric nurses should have good communication skills and emotional awareness to provide quality nursing care. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of psychodrama on emotional awareness and communication skills in psychiatric nurses in Istanbul, Turkey. A randomized controlled trial study (pretest-posttest control group design) was conducted with 26 psychiatric nurses in Istanbul. The psychiatric nurses were evaluated in terms of emotional awareness assessed by the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale and communication skills assessed by the Communication Skills Inventory. Two hours of psychodrama sessions (16 in total) were held once a week under the guidance of a psychodrama therapist and a co-therapist. The control group did not receive any intervention. The experimental group had significantly higher posttest total emotional awareness score and emotional communication skills score than pretest scores. There was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores of the control group. Psychodrama can be used to improve the communication skills and emotional awareness of psychiatric nurses.

Emotional Awareness in Schizophrenia Is Associated With Gray Matter Volume of Right Precuneus.

Objectives: We assessed the relationship between emotional awareness (e.g., the ability to identify and differentiate our own feelings and feelings of others) and regional brain volumes in healthy and in schizophrenia groups.Methods: Magnetic resonance images of 29 subjects with schizophrenia and 33 matched healthy controls were acquired. Brain gray matter was parcellated using FreeSurfer and 28 regions of interest associated with emotional awareness were analyzed. All participants were assessed using the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) of Self and of Other. LEAS scores were correlated with gray matter volume for each hemisphere on the 14 brain regions of the emotional awareness network.Results: Individuals with schizophrenia showed decreased emotional awareness on both LEAS Self and LEAS Other compared to healthy controls. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in gray matter volumes of the emotional awareness network. The performance on LEAS Other correlated negatively with right precuneus gray matter volume only in the schizophrenia group.Conclusion: Our findings suggest a relationship between gray matter volume of the right precuneus and deficits in understanding of emotional states of others in schizophrenia.

Can Emotional Awareness of Liars Influence Deception Detection Effectiveness?

Emotional awareness is defined as the ability to cognitively process emotional arousal and the expression thereof. When telling a lie, emotional awareness comes into play: the most important objective is to conceal one’s true emotions and fabricate false ones; simultaneously, however, one must control for the affective state of those who are to believe the falsehood; via such efforts, one can assess the potential for success in the deceit. With this in mind, we hypothesized that emotional awareness may play a vital role in the process of creating a convincing lie. Study participants (Group A, N = 40) were asked to complete the Polish adaptation of the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS) and record videos consisting of plotting some truth or lie, which were then rated as true or false by 400 volunteers (Group B). Both samples (Group A and Group B) were recruited among students attending Polish universities. The results allowed us to confirm correlational relationships between emotional awareness (general, self-awareness, and awareness of others’ emotions) and the effectiveness of the deception. We were also able to confirm previous studies’ results about the truth bias in detecting lies and gender differences in emotional awareness.