Emotional Intelligence as Predictor of Coping Strategies among Parents of Intellectually Disabled Children

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the predictive relationship between emotional intelligence and coping strategies among parents of children with intellectual disabilities. It was hypothesized that Emotional Intelligence would predict coping strategies of parents with intellectually disabled children. A sample of 230 parents of intellectually disabled children between the ages of 25-55 and their child ages was 10-30 with mild to moderately intellectual disability were selected through the procedure of purposive sampling. Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS) construct of emotional intelligence along with the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form (CSIS) were used for data collection. The analysis of result was carried out through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. There search hypothesis was confirmed as result shows that a unit change in the predictor variable of Emotional Intelligence leads to a significant change in the criterion variable of Engagement Coping. Also demonstrates that a unit change in the predictor variable of Emotional Intelligence leads to a significant change in the criterion variable of Secondary subscales of coping strategy. Emotional Intelligence shows significantly positive correlation with Problem Focused Engagement (B=.095, t=4.696, p<.001) and Emotion Focused Engagement (B=.114, t=5.069, p<.001). Moreover, Emotional Intelligence shows significantly moderately positive correlation with Problem Focused Disengagement (B—.048, t=.208, p>.05). Emotional Intelligence shows no correlation with Emotion Focused Disengagement (B=-.039, t=-. 1.338, P>.05). The reasons for significant or non-significant results are also discussed. Furthermore, limitations and recommendations are also suggested in the end.