Construal of emotional intelligence and emotional competence among adolescents

In the present study, the focus was on adolescents' understanding of emotion, including their ideas of emotional competence. In addition, adults' construals of emotion, and emotional competence in children were investigated. Identifying perspectives on factors which influence the development of emotional competence was also attempted. Data generation techniques included conversational-style interactions, termed as active interviews, of individuals and small groups; certain classroom-based written exercises, and enactments followed up with focus group discussions, and incidental observations. Audio recording of the interviews, and field notes were the modes of data management. Analysis of data was approached qualitatively, with a search for themes, in alignment with the objectives of the study. Findings revealed that the adolescents portrayed emotions as subjective experiences with somato-psychic components and behavioral display elicited by, and experienced in, social settings and interpersonal contexts. Familiarity with Hindi emotion terms was amply evident. One's nature or disposition as a contributor to one's emotions and the self was evident in the accounts of older adolescents. Emotional qualities of others have been described as traits and transient displays Emotional competence as characterized by management of emotions was found to be relevant.