Emotional intelligence in learners with Attention Deficit Disorder

Abstract

This study was undertaken to analyse and evaluate the nature and quality of emotional intelligence in learners with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and to investigate whether their emotional intelligence was enhanced, and whether the symptoms and behaviour of these learners improved, after exposure to a programme on emotional intelligence. Learners with ADD were identified from within a larger group of Grades 4 and 5 learners. The whole group was exposed to a programme on emotional intelligence and the results were examined and compared qualitatively. At the beginning of the study, the learners with ADD displayed an inaccurate appraisal of their emotional intelligence as being at a higher level than that of their peer group. After exposure to a programme on emotional intelligence, these learners were able to accurately appraise their emotional intelligence. The results of this study indicate that the symptoms and behaviour of learners with ADD are improved after exposure to a programme on emotional intelligence. The enhancement of emotional intelligence, therefore, appears to be related to the symptoms and behaviour of learners with ADD.

Keywords: Attention Deficit Disorder, emotional intelligence, education and emotional intelligence, PATHS programme