THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN MANAGING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID - 19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Emotional intelligence is the personal ability to identify and effectively manage one’s emotions in relation to personal goals (career, family, education, etc.). Even if a person has enough knowledge and intelligent ideas, if he does not know and fails to manage his emotions and feelings, he may encounter difficulties in trying to build relationships with others. The COVID-19 pandemic created fear, anxiety and depression among the population, but the most exposed were those who already suffered from a mental disorder. All these changes could but affect human behavior in the management of interpersonal relationships. Social distancing, meeting bans, hygiene measures, lockdown, closed schools and kindergardens, technical unemployment – for most people life has suddenly changed after March 2020. The consequences are visible especially in mental health and interpersonal relationships.