Emotional Intelligence and Depressive Symptoms in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Date
2020-07-29
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Abstract
The current study investigated the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI) and levels of depressive symptoms in children with and without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Measures of both Ability EI (the knowledge of what to do) and Trait EI (the actual behaviours and actions carried out) were included to compare and examine differences between the distinct conceptualizations as well as to capture a more comprehensive representation of EI. The current study included a final sample of 56 children between the ages of 8- to 12-years-old, 22 with ADHD (M = 10.51 years, 59.1% male) and 34 typically developing (M = 10.00 years, 58.8% male). The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test – Youth Research Version (MSCEIT-YRV) and Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version, Short (BarOn EQ-I:YV [S]) were used to measure Ability EI and Trait EI respectively, while the Children Depression Inventory – Second Edition, Self-Report Short Version (CDI 2:SR[S]) was used to assess depressive symptoms. The present study confirmed that children with ADHD indicate significantly greater depressive symptoms and lower levels of Trait EI. In addition, Trait EI was found to be a significant predictor of depressive symptoms in children. Contrary to what was hypothesized, the current study did not find any differences between the Ability EI of children with and without ADHD. Similarly, no associations were found between Ability EI and depressive symptoms in children. Finally, the present study demonstrated that Trait EI was a significant mediator of the relationship between ADHD and depressive symptoms in children. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed.
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Keywords
Emotional Intelligence, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Depressive symptoms
Citation
Ee, B. (2020). Emotional Intelligence and Depressive Symptoms in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.