Comparison of Alexithymia, Emotional Intelligence, and Psychological Symptoms Among Adults Living in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Abstract

This study aims to compare the emotional intelligence, alexithymia, and psychological symptoms
of individuals who lived in Turkey until the age of 18 and those who lived in the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus until the age of 18. The study, conducted using a causal comparative model,
includes individuals aged 18 and over living in both Turkey and the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus. The sample consists of adults who lived only in Turkey and only in the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus until the age of 18. Criterion sampling, a type of purposive
sampling, was used for both countries. Data were collected online from a total of 781 volunteer
participants (393 from Turkey and 388 from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) using a
Socio-Demographic Information Form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Schutte Emotional
Intelligence Scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. The findings indicate that emotional
intelligence was higher in the Turkish sample, while alexithymia and total scores on the Brief
Symptom Inventory were higher in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus sample compared
to the Turkish sample. Emotional intelligence showed a negative correlation with alexithymia
and psychological symptoms in both groups, while alexithymia showed a positive correlation
with psychological symptoms. These results indicate that structured psychoeducational
programs that support emotional intelligence skills should be widely implemented to protect the
mental health of adults in both societies.