Emotional intelligence and family characteristics: A pilot study in the Basque Country

The relationship between family characteristics and emotional intelligence (EI) is as necessary as it is scarce. In fact, the association between EI and variables such as birth order, number of siblings or family structure have barely been investigated. The few studies in this field have focused on the relationship between family characteristics and total EI, but not the different dimensions that compose this construct. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to examine this gap. The sample comprised 385 students from the University of the Basque Country. The Profile of Emotional Competence (Brasseur et al. PLoS ONE, 8, e62635, 2013) was used to measure EI, and a questionnaire designed ad hoc was employed to measure family characteristics. The results showed that EI (global score as well as the five dimensions) was not significantly related to family structure, number of siblings and birth order. However, given that the sample size was very small in some groups (non-traditional families, third or more borns, single children and people with more than 3 brothers/sisters), conclusions should be made with caution. Practical implications of the findings and limitations of the study are discussed.