Expert blames suicide, divorce on emotional illiteracy

A clinical psychologist and counsellor, Dr Elizabeth Okonkwo, has identified emotional illiteracy as a factor responsible for the alarming rate of suicide and divorce in the society.

The expert, who is the Director of Students Support Centre at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, explained that people she described as “emotionally illiterate” would be prone to job failure, aggressiveness, bullying and substance addiction.

Okonkwo spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, while delivering a lecture at the general meeting of the state chapter of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).

The lecture was titled ‘Emotional Intelligence: An Assessment on Intra-personal Development.’

Quoting a number of scholars, Okonkwo submitted that high intelligence and good education didn’t guarantee control over one’s emotions or success.

The psychologist, harping on the importance of emotional intelligence, said it helps an individual to regulate one’s moods and keep distress from swamping the ability to think straight.

“Costs of emotional illiteracy are job failure, divorce, aggressiveness, bullying, suicide, educational hiccups, eating disorders and substance addiction.

“If people are more aware of, and in control of their emotions, they are likely to be more productive and more successful, be less impulsive, control their temper, cope more effectively with stress and feel more satisfied with themselves and others,” she said.

In his address, the Chairman of SPSP, Sodiq Ola-Raheem, regarded emotional intelligence as “peace practitioners”, saying “you’re expected to manage those feelings without allowing them to swamp you.”