Self-reported emotional intelligence in only children and first-born children, and parents perceptual adjustment

Due to the lack of studies in the area of the emotional intelligence development in the family, our objective is to increase scientific knowledge The present study focuses on determining the differences that exist between the Self-Reported Emotional Intelligence (SEI) of only children and first-born children and, on the other hand, the degree of perceptual adjustment of parents regarding their children. The sample was composed of 405 participants in total 67 only children, 68 first-born children, 135 fathers and 135 mothers The instruments used to measure emotional intelligence were the TMMS-24 (self-report emotional intelligence scale) and the PTMMS-24 (perceived emotional intelligence scale) Results show a clear disadvantage in terms of SEI for only children compared with first-born children Parents of only children have a better capacity to perceive their own child s emotions as compared with parents of first-born children.