Emotional intelligence and aggression vary with gender and location in African high school adolescents

Abstract

The aim of the study is to examine whether and how emotional intelligence and aggression vary with gender and urban-rural area in South Africa. A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 440 adolescents aged between 13–18 years old participated in the study. Stratified sampling method was used in the selection of participants. Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and Aggression Questionnaire were used to measure emotional intelligence and aggression. The study hypotheses were tested using logistic regression analysis. Emotional intelligence varies with gender. Males managed other people’s emotions better while females managed and utilised their own emotions better. With female participants’ verbal aggression was higher, whereas males scored higher on physical aggression, anger aggression and hostile aggression. On the basis of location, urban adolescents were indicated to have the ability to perceive other's’ emotions and manage their own emotions, while rural adolescents’ results indicated a lesser propensity for the perception of others’ emotions and the management of own emotions. Both urban and rural adolescents indicated verbal aggression. Emotional intelligence and aggression vary with gender and location. Therefore, gender-specific characteristics, and location, could play a major role in how the behaviour is manifested. Based on these findings, it is concluded that intervention methods should be tailor-made to suit individual needs.