Emotional Intelligence and Aggressive Behaviour in Childhood and Adolescence ̶ An Overview of Studies

• Main Author: Ana Babić Čikeš
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Rijeka 2017-07-01
• Series: Psychological Topics
• Subjects: aggressiveness; emotional intelligence; childhood; adolescence
• Online Access: http://pt.ffri.hr/index.php/pt/article/view/287

The purpose of this work was to review research about the development of emotional intelligence (EI) and aggressiveness during childhood and adolescence as well as to review studies that looked into the relationship between these constructs during that life frame. The review of the literature points to a possible association between developmental paths of emotional intelligence and aggression, although the research on the relationship between emotional experience and emotion processing variables with different aspects of aggressiveness are quite rare. The majority of existing research indicates a significant correlation between these two constructs, but differences in conceptualizations, applied measures, patterns and methods, make it difficult to draw clear conclusions. The future research needs to be focused on the investigation of relationships between individual levels of EI, narrow abilities associated with it, and different forms of aggression. In addition, it is important to examine the possibility to influence each EI capability bearing in mind its developmental paths and its importance for aggressive behaviour at a particular point of development. The position of EI variables within the constellation of various correlates of aggressive behaviour at different points of development is also an important task of future research. The results of such studies would increase the efficiency of violence prevention programs, and allow for better assessment of the effectiveness of treatments for aggression.