Development of Indigence and Reliable Emotional Intelligence Scale for Children (7 to 11 Years)

Abstract

It was descriptive, mixed-method research aimed to determine “development of an indigenous and reliable Emotional Intelligence Scale for Children aged 7- 11 years”. Bar- on model of “social and emotional intelligence” (1997, 2000) was followed for the study. The study population consisted of primary level students ranging from grade I to grade V from different cities of Pakistan. A non-probability sampling technique called purposive sampling was used, and a sample of 694 students (boys= 355, girls= 339) was selected for the study. Principal Factor Analysis with Varimax rotation postulated 64 items with ten distinct factors: flexibility, emotional self-awareness, happiness, self-regard, problem-solving, social relations, impulse control, stress control, empathy, and assertiveness. The emotional intelligence scale for children consisting of 64 items was finalized. The Cronbach's alpha emerged to be .88 for the total 64 items and ranged from .69 to .94 for the subscales. Emotional Intelligence Scale for Children (EISC) is a reliable instrument measuring EI based on 5- point Likert scale (1= never, 2= rarely, 3= sometime, 4= often, 5= always). Further research can be conducted to confirm these ten factors extracted through this study by including various other psychological traits of children's emotional intelligence. The present research will help understand different traits that sample the domain of emotional intelligence of children. It is a valuable tool for policymakers, parents, and teachers in assessing primary school children's emotional intelligence (7- 11 years).