Personality disposition, social and emotional intelligence as determinants of adults’ adjustment to bereavement in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined personality disposition (introversion/extroversion), social and emotional intelligence as determinants of adults’ adjustment to bereavement. Bereavement is a social problem to all ages, but it could be terrible with adults to make adequate adjustment. Descriptive survey design was adopted and three hypotheses were tested in the study. Two hundred and sixty-four (264) respondents (35-65 years) were randomly selected from four local government areas of Osun state. Simple percentage, Standard deviation and regression were used to analyse the data at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that there are significant relationships between the independent variables: introversion/extroversion (r=0.58); social intelligence (r=0.79); emotional intelligence (r=0.84). There is also joint contribution between the independent variables on adults adjustment to bereavement (R=.714, R = .711, F-ratio = 383.423) with 71% of independent variable accounted for adults adjustment to bereavement. The variables also had their magnitude of contribution at different levels which are significant order of contribution. Emotional intelligence ((β = .68); Social Intelligence (β = .22); Introversion/Extroversion (β = .09). It is, therefore, recommended that every individual needs to develop emotional intelligence along growth to cope with life challenges. There is need for interactions to be socially intelligent to have the ability of coping with societal norms. Personality traits should be used to everybody’s advantage.

Keywords: Personality disposition, Social Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Adjustment, Bereavement