Does the concept of emotional intelligence contribute to our understanding of temporal lobe resections?

Research on temporal lobe (TL) resection has revealed impairments in cognition and emotion that differ as a function of laterality. Until recently, however, a construct called “emotional intelligence” had not been investigated in surgical recipients. We asked if Bar-On’s Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) was sensitive to the side of the temporal lobe lesion, and if the EQ-i correlated with intellectual and psychosocial functioning. EQ-i scores, estimated Full Scale IQ, verbal memory, confrontation naming, and psychosocial adjustment data were analyzed for 38 patients who underwent TL resection. Results indicated that the EQ-i self-ratings were significantly lower than the average-range Full Scale IQ. Verbal memory and naming skills were significantly worse after left than right TL resection, but EQ-i scores did not reflect a laterality effect. The EQ-i correlated significantly with psychosocial adjustment, but not with estimated Full Scale IQ. We concluded that there was no compelling evidence for lateral specialization of EI, although it seems to be a theoretically relevant construct that may be useful in understanding individuals with epilepsy.