Trait emotional intelligence, behavioral difficulties and interoception in children

Abstract

Background: Trait emotional intelligence (TEI), a construct closely associated with aspects opposed to alexithymia, has emerged as an important protective factor in the processes of resilience and adaptation. Its relationship to the sensitivity for bodily signals, a factor associated with better emotion regulation capacities in adults, was never investigated in children and this was the main focus of this study. Methods: 1590 children (693 girls) aged between 6 and 11 years (mean 8.4) were examined as part of a larger on-going longitudinal study on intrapersonal developmental risk factors. Interoceptive sensitivity was assessed using an adapted heartbeat detection task, TEI was quantified with the German version of the Emotional Quotient Inventory-Youth Version. Parents reported behavioral difficulties by questionnaire (SDQ). Findings: Small, but significant positive correlations between interoceptive sensitivity and TEI were found. Emotional problems were partly negatively correlated with subscales of TEI. Discussion: Similar to adulthood, emotional intelligence and the sensitivity for bodily signals are also associated in primary school children. Disturbed interoceptive processes might contribute to emotional problems in this age, e.g. by misinterpretation of bodily signals.