Emotional Intelligence and Optimism in Tribal and Nontribal Adolescents: A Moderated Analysis Across Age Groups

Abstract
The study intended to examine the level of emotional intelligence (EI) and its association with optimism among tribal adolescents and non-tribal adolescents of Jharkhand. A total of 480 adolescents (240 tribal and 240 non-tribal), aged between 13 and 17 years, constituted the study population. The study was undertaken with the following objectives a) to assess and compare the level of EI and optimism regarding gender and ethnicity among tribal and non-tribal adolescents of Jharkhand b) to assess and explore the association between EI and its dimensions with optimism among tribal and non-tribal adolescents of Jharkhand c) to assess and explore whether dimensions of EI significantly predict the level of optimism d)to examine whether age acts as a moderating variable on the relationship between EI and optimism. Data were collected using a self-developed socio-demographic data sheet, Emotional Intelligence Scale and the Optimistic-Pessimistic Attitude Scale. The samples for the present study were drawn through a multi-stage mixed sampling method, incorporating purposive, followed by simple random and stratified sampling techniques. The result reveals that the level of EI and optimism differed significantly among tribal and non-tribal adolescents and EI and its dimensions were positively correlated with optimism. Dimensions of EI significantly predicted optimism among tribal and non-tribal adolescents and age significantly moderated the relationship between EI and optimism.