Effects of the Spock Videogame on Improving Emotional Intelligence in Adolescents

Introduction: The aim of the present research is to experimentally assess the effects of a videogame program ("Spock") for improving emotional intelligence (EI) as an ability among a sample of adolescents. Method: The sample was made up of 92 adolescents, aged 17 to 19, who were currently studying the second year of "Bachillerato". The instrument used was the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). The study used a quasi-experimental design, a design of pre-test/post-test repeated measurements with a control group. In order to assess program effects, descriptive analyses (average and standard deviations) and variance analyses (ANOVAs) were carried out on the adolescents assigned to the experimental and control condition in the pre-test stage. Secondly, descriptive and covariance analyses of post-test scores were carried out (post-test ANCOVAs covarying the pre-test), thereby demonstrating program impact. Moreover, the effect size was calculated (Cohen's "d"). Results: The results of the post-test ANCOVAs (covarying the pre-test differences) in the emotional intelligence variables that were under study in the experimental and control condition, confirm statistically-significant differences in the global scores of ability emotional intelligence, and the variables of emotional perception, emotional facilitation and emotional regulation. Additionally, the results of the post-test ANCOVA show that the change stimulated by the program was similar in both sexes. However, the results obtained in the post-test ANCOVAs confirm statistically-significant differences in favor of male participants in their global scores on ability emotional intelligence. Discussion: The study provides an effective intervention tool which has been experimentally validated. Overall results suggest the importance of implementing programs for fostering EI as an ability during adolescence.