Relationship between Fathers’ Emotional Intelligence and Their Children’s

Abstract

Problem statement: The Emotional Intelligence (EI) construct is a relatively new concept with little empirical research, particularly that related to the link between a father’s emotional intelligence and that of his child’s. Approach: This study attempts to assess the relationship between fathers’ and their children’s EI skills. This study consisted of three groups (N = 107: year 2, n = 38; year 3, n = 34; year 4, n = 35) of Iranian children who enrolled in Iranian primary school (2007-2008) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and their fathers. The data were collected by employing two selected instruments; Bar-On’s EQ_i Adult and Youth Version. Results: Pearson correlation between subscales of the father’s and children’s EI was statistically significant. A ranking, based on the magnitude of the correlation between subscales of father’s and their children’s EI, was shown as stress management, interpersonal, intrapersonal, general mood and adaptability. It was found that the majority of the children who were in a higher category of EI skills had fathers who were also from the higher level of emotional intelligence. Conclusion/Recommendation: With regard to the findings, the many factors related to father and children’s EI are important aspects of psychological researchers to consider it for a research topic.