Emotional Intelligence and attitudes of children toward animals

Emotion intelligence is a set of components that include recognizing emotional signals in facial expressions, understanding emotions correctly and managing emotions in real or imaginary situations. The individual... [ view full abstract ]

Emotion intelligence is a set of components that include recognizing emotional signals in facial expressions, understanding emotions correctly and managing emotions in real or imaginary situations. The individual components of emotion intelligence begin to develop from early childhood and proceed trough to life span.  Therefore Emotional intelligence has fundamental role not only in the social and emotional adjustment of children but also in the development of compassion to nature and animals. Children have strong interest in animals. When children interact with animals and nature they can experience to use emotions and emotional understanding. Touching or caring an animal improve their sharing, problem solving and empathy skills. Recently children grow up in buildings or artificial environment without any natural sensitivity. Research showed that children who had closer relationships with their animals were higher on the social competency and empathy. Lack of emotional understanding and empathy has been associated with animal abuse. For this reason current study aimed to identify associations between emotional intelligence of children and attitudes to animals. 300 preschool children were participated to the study. Children were assessed using “Sullivan Emotional Intelligence Scale for Children” and “The Children’s Attitudes towards Animals (CATA)”. Data were analysed based on the gender, having a pet and willingness to have a pet. Correlations also operated between emotional intelligence and attitudes towards animals.   Results are discussed taking into account different factors that may affect children’s emotional intelligence and attitudes towards animals.