Moderating effect of trait emotional intelligence on the relationship between parental nurturance and prosocial behaviour

ABSTRACT Introduction Research on the moderating role of trait emotional intelligence (EI) has typically examined this construct in light of other risk factors and their detrimental effects on adolescents' outcomes. This study aims to expand this line of research by focusing on the enhancing effect of trait EI and its moderating effects on the relationship between parental nurturance and adolescents' prosocial behaviour. According to such view, higher trait EI was expected to enhance the positive effect of parental nurturance on adolescents’ prosocial behaviour. Method A nationally representative sample of 1850 Canadian adolescents completed self‐reported ratings of trait EI and parenting at 10–12 years of age which were related to prosocial behaviour at 14–16 years. Results Findings indicated that, after controlling for previous ratings of prosocial behaviour at age 10–12, child's age and sex, adolescents with high trait EI who were exposed to positive rearing experiences in early adolescence reported higher levels of prosocial behaviour two years later compared to respondents with either low or average scores on trait EI. Conclusion In line with our prediction, these results confirm the enhancing the effects of trait EI on the relationship between parental nurturance and future development of prosocial behaviour. These findings have important implications in regard to the important role of trait EI in predicting variation of adolescents’ prosocial behaviour in response to positive parental influences.