Unravelling the complex associations between emotional intelligence and personality in later childhood and early adolescence

Abstract

The primary goal of the study was to examine the relationships between emotional intelligence and personality type in later childhood. Eighty-one youth in grades seven and nine (Mage=12.49 years, SDage=1.20 years) were asked to complete the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version and the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator. Many significant correlations were found between variables. Specifically, sex differences were noted in personality type, as females had greater preference for the intuitive and feeling functions, while males preferred the sensing and thinking functions. As well, results demonstrated significant correlations between emotional intelligence variables and personality functions. In particular, extraversion was positively correlated with many facets of emotional intelligence, and feeling was significantly correlated with the interpersonal variable. These novel correlations are discussed in terms of implications for the population represented by later childhood. Applications of the findings are also suggested and future directions are encouraged.