Perceived emotional intelligence and aggression among adults: The moderating role of gender

Abstract

ObjectiveThis research aimed to explore the moderating role of gender in the relationship between Perceived Emotional Intelligence (PEI) and aggression among adults.MethodThe Trait Meta‐Mood Scale and the Aggressive Provocation Questionnaire were administered to 338 participants from a Spanish community including both genders, ranging from 19 to 53 years old.ResultsGender differences in PEI and aggression dimensions, with higher levels of Attention and frustration in women, and higher levels of Repair and direct aggression in men were found. Correlations between PEI and aggression dimensions showed that among female participants Attention was positively related to feelings of aggression and with direct aggression, while Repair was negatively related to these dimensions. Clarity was positively related to assertive behaviour among women, and Repair correlated positively with assertive behaviour among men. Interaction analyses revealed that gender moderated the relationship between PEI dimensions and aggression, controlling for the effect of age.Low levels of Repair were related to lower levels of assertiveness in men and with higher scores of feelings of anger in women.ConclusionsWe suggest explanations for these differences between the genders, and discuss the importance of incorporating gender differences in theoretical and empirical studies investigating PEI among adults.