Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Prosocial Behaviors in Spanish and Colombian Older Adults Based on Path Models.

Manuel Martí-Vilar,Carlos Andrés Trejos-Gil,Juan Diego Betancur-Arias

doi:10.3390/healthcare10020284

Manuel Martí-Vilar, Carlos Andrés Trejos-Gil + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020284

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Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI), empathy, and prosocial behavior (PB) are widely studied in the early stages of life, up to adolescence. However, there have been few studies in older adults. Using a multivariate methodology, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied with structural equation models (SEM) in 271 older adults in Colombia, along with a Spanish sample made up of 139 adults over 60 years of age, for a total sample of 411 older adults. The results confirmed that EI, as measured with the WLEIS, scale is the best predictor of PB, with excellent adjustment criteria (GFI = 0.99; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.064; PCLOSE = 0.28; SRMR = 0.023; AIC = 57.30). It is concluded that the path model yielded a reliable predictive explanation of PB, including EI as a key variable that explains prosocial tendencies.

Highlights

Predictors of prosocial behavior (PB) have been investigated in many populations over the last decade or so [1,2,3,4]
In order to improve the extraction of variance, 2 items were eliminated from the prosociality scale, 7 items from the culture scale, and 12 from the EQi-C scale; the resulting extractions expressed the proportion of the variance in the variables explained by the extracted factors
Following a factor analysis to regroup the items of PB, Wong-Law’s Emotional Intelligence Scale” (WLEIS), EQi-C, and cultural dimensions, and a path model, it was confirmed that emotional intelligence measured with the WLEIS was the best predictor of PB

Summary

Introduction

Predictors of prosocial behavior (PB) have been investigated in many populations over the last decade or so [1,2,3,4]. Salovey and Mayer (1990) [13] defined EI as “the ability to manage our emotions and those of others, discriminate between them and use this knowledge or emotional information to guide our own actions and thoughts”. They proposed the use of this name and advocated scientific work focused on explaining and predicting the processing of emotional information. They established a model called the “ability model”, that integrates a triad of skills: emotional perception and appreciation, emotional regulation, and the use of EI. It is worth noting that, at that time, the influence of motivational factors on EI was under-researched

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