Predictors of Emotional Intelligence among Preschool Children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Objective - Emotional Intelligence (EI) among preschool children is an important area to be studied. Children who have deficits in EI tend to have problems in adjustment and their lives were insufficiently rewarded. Therefore, they would regulate their emotions in alienating ways or take drastic actions to escape from problems. This study aims to address the predictors of emotional intelligence among preschool children. Methodology/Technique – The study was conducted in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Cross sectional questionnaire with Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ), Child Behavior Inventory of Playfulness (CBI), Adult Involvement in Media Scale (AIM) and Parents Rating Scales of Emotional Intelligence were prepared for 217 mothers with children aged 4 to 6 years in private preschools, Kuala Lumpur. Finding – Pearson correlation analyses revealed that mother’s education (r = .16, p < .05), children’s playfulness (r = .42, p < .01) and parental monitoring (r = .35, p < .01) were significant positively associated with emotional intelligence but no significant relationship was found between screen time and emotional intelligence. However, in multiple linear regression analysis only indicated that playfulness (β= .29, p < 0.00) and parental monitoring (β= .27, p < 0.00) were significant predictors of children’s EI in this study. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: A21, J24, O15. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence; Parental Monitoring; Playfulness; Preschool Children; Screen Time. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Ern, T.J; Arshat, Z; Ismail, N. (2021). Predictors of Emotional Intelligence among Preschool Children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, GATR Global J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Review, 9(1): 23 – 32. https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2021.9.1(3)