Well-being and Social Sustainability, Cross-Cultural Validation of an Emotional Metacognition Traits Scale in Brazilian Adolescents

Abstract

In this work we aimed to examine the reliability and validity of a trait scale on emotional meta-cognition in a large number of subjects (> 11, 000 adolescent students) from a private school network in Brazil. Following up previous validation of the same scale in Europe, we proceed a cross-cultural work in order to analyze its feasibility in assessing the interpersonal emotional intelligence. The study was proceeded during the 2017 academic year, in São Paulo, Brazil. The process included translations and peer content validation of all items from original scale, pilot study in a small sample and the broad survey hereby reported. We, then, proceeded a internal consistency measurement and a factorial analysis, both exploratory and confirmatory. Once the analyses have been carried out we compared emergent dimensions raised from the present research to the original ones, validating the instrument in its majority for the measurement of emotional intelligence in a new cultural set, as well as elucidating subtle differences seen in few items. Considering the sample size, subject cultural diversity and items loads in each factor, we conclude the scale used is an useful tool for mapping the perceived emotional intelligence in Brazilian adolescents, which encourages self-knowledge and informs of the needs in emotional competencies and self-development.