Generalizability of the emotional intelligence construct: A cross-cultural study of North American aboriginal youth

The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has attracted growing interest from researchers working in various fields. Because culture can influence the experience and expression of emotions, special care needs to be taken when using the EI construct in different cultures. The present study examined the generalizability of the youth form of a widely used self-report measure of EI (EQ-i:YV) in a sample of 384 aboriginal youth from several rural areas in Canada (mean age = 12.5 years). This sample was matched (by age and gender) with a second rural Canadian sample of non-aboriginal youth (N = 384). The four-factor model for the measure (separate dimensions for interpersonal, intrapersonal, adaptability, and stress management abilities) was tested using confirmatory factor analysis with both samples. Multiple goodness-of-fit indicators revealed that the model had good fit to the data from both samples. The aboriginal respondents were found to score significantly lower on the interpersonal, adaptability and stress management dimensions compared to the non-aboriginal children. Results are discussed in the context of EI as a vulnerability factor for a number of health-related problems in children and adolescents.