Influence of Emotional Competence on Adjustment of Adolescents

Abstract

In our day-to-day life, we have frequently been using and hearing the word “Intelligence,” which can be defined as logic, understanding, mental alertness, quickness in learning. Emotional Competence is considered as one of the facets of Intelligence. Emotional Competence is the ability to monitor, regulation and understand one’s own and others’ emotions. It is an important factor necessary for everyone because competence can be enhanced by using various psychological techniques. Adolescents can do well in academics, but they find difficulty adjusting and adapting to their environment if they are not emotionally competent. Adolescence is the stage that brings many changes, such as biological, psychological, social, and emotional. At this stage, conflicts arise in various domains of life, such as choosing a friend, career, and coping with several types of pressure and environment that suits them better. Adolescents must overcome such kinds of conflicts. The present study aims to see the influence of emotional competence on the adjustment of adolescents. A convenient sampling method was used to draw the sample. The sample consists of 80 (N=80) adolescents, 40 (n=40) boys, and 40 (n=40) girls with the age range from 14-19 years. Moreover, two tools were used to conduct this study, i.e., the Emotional Competence Assessment Scale by Paiva and Kumar (2009) and the Adjustment Inventory developed by Kumar (1999). The result found insignificant difference between girls and boys on emotional competence and adjustment. Moreover, the result revealed significant influence of interest on social adjustment, and happiness and sadness on emotional adjustment. The result of the present research may be helpful in enhancing emotional competence, so that adolescents better adjust in their environment.