Comparison of alexithymia and emotional intelligence in gifted and non-gifted high school students

Abstract

This study compared alexithymia and emotional intelligence in two groups from gifted students’ school and normal students’ school. 175 high school students (86 gifted, 89 normal) were included in this study. Participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS). Gifted students reported lower levels of alexithymia than did normal students. Alexithymia was negatively associated with emotional intelligence in both groups. It can be concluded that gifted students understand emotional situations better and faster while process and organize these situations better than normal students. Thus, gifted students are more able to exchange perceived emotions to words.