Emotional intelligence in young emerging adults: A focus on Wong and Law's scale in the digital work sphere

Abstract

Despite the growing research on the usefulness and validity of the four-factor Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), empirical evidence for its relevance to Black African young emerging adults seems non-existent. The study's objective was to assess the relevance of the original WLEIS factor structure for a sample (N = 365) of South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) final year students (mean age = 24.3 years; SD = 2.38). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and convergent and discriminant validity tests revealed a three-factor first-order structure with uniquely descriptive items characteristic of the sample's emotional intelligence. The findings contribute to the WLEIS measurement of emotional intelligence in young emerging adults who are preparing to enter the digital-age work world.