Emotional Intelligence Measures: A Systematic Review.

Lluna María Bru-Luna,Manuel Martí-Vilar,José L Cervera-Santiago,César Merino-Soto

doi:10.3390/healthcare9121696

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to perceive, express, understand, and manage emotions. Current research indicates that it may protect against the emotional burden experienced in certain professions. This article aims to provide an updated systematic review of existing instruments to assess EI in professionals, focusing on the description of their characteristics as well as their psychometric properties (reliability and validity). A literature search was conducted in Web of Science (WoS). A total of 2761 items met the eligibility criteria, from which a total of 40 different instruments were extracted and analysed. Most were based on three main models (i.e., skill-based, trait-based, and mixed), which differ in the way they conceptualize and measure EI. All have been shown to have advantages and disadvantages inherent to the type of tool. The instruments reported in the largest number of studies are Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), Schutte Self Report-Inventory (SSRI), Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test 2.0 (MSCEIT 2.0), Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS), Wong and Law’s Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). The main measure of the estimated reliability has been internal consistency, and the construction of EI measures was predominantly based on linear modelling or classical test theory. The study has limitations: we only searched a single database, the impossibility of estimating inter-rater reliability, and non-compliance with some items required by PRISMA.

Highlights

Emotional intelligence (EI) was first described and conceptualized by Salovey and Mayer [1] as an ability-based construct analogous to general intelligence. They argued that individuals with a high level of EI had certain skills related to the evaluation and regulation of emotions and that they were able to regulate emotions in themselves and in others in order to achieve a variety of adaptive outcomes
The main aim of this study is to offer an updated systematic review of EI instruments in order to provide researchers and professionals with a list of tools that can be applied in the professional field with their characteristics, psychometric properties and versions, as well as a brief description of the instrument
A systematic review of the scientific literature on EI has been carried out using the Web of Science (WoS) database through a search of all articles published between 1900 and the present

Summary

Introduction

Emotional intelligence (EI) was first described and conceptualized by Salovey and Mayer [1] as an ability-based construct analogous to general intelligence They argued that individuals with a high level of EI had certain skills related to the evaluation and regulation of emotions and that they were able to regulate emotions in themselves and in others in order to achieve a variety of adaptive outcomes. This construct has received increasing attention from both the scientific community and the general public due to its theoretical and practical implications for daily life.

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