A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY: IMPACT OF AGE, SEX, AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE ON EMOTIONAL SKILLS OF ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to use a self-reporting questionnaire to appraise the emotional abilities of a sample of adolescents aged 12 to 18 and to identify if there are any disparities between men and women in these abilities. The sample size comprises 1011 adolescents between 12 and 18 years (481 women, M= 14.92 years, SD = 1.72; 530 men, M = 14.93 years, SD = 1.74), divided into seven age groups. There were significant differences in Expressing and Labeling [F(6, 1010) = 5.141, p = .001] and Managing and Regulating dimensions [F(6, 1010) = 4.760, p = .001] across different age groups. The current study adds to our understanding of how adolescents process emotions by examining their self-perception of emotional skills in real-life situations. It enhances our knowledge of the various stages of development of these skills and shows that they improve with age, with a significant influence from peers and the social environment. By identifying the development of emotional skills, we can better understand the factors associated with various emotional disorders and work toward preventing their development and persistence.