A cross-cultural investigation of trait emotional intelligence in Hong Kong and the UK

Trait emotional intelligence (EI) has received considerable empirical attention over the last decade, especially in Western individualist societies. However, little is known about the construct in Eastern collectivist societies. The present study investigated cultural differences in trait EI between Hong Kong and the UK (n = 474) using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. Comparison of group factor structures revealed satisfactory congruence coefficients for the four trait EI factors of Well-being, Sociability, Emotionality, and Self-control. In addition, results showed pronounced cross-cultural variation in global trait EI scores, with British participants scoring consistently higher than their Chinese counterparts. Results from the Chinese sample also yielded support for the cultural accommodation effect, viz. that multilingual individuals respond in a manner that favours or conforms to the culture associated with the language of the questionnaire. Findings are discussed with reference to cross-cultural applications of trait EI theory.