Creativity and social competence of young children: The mediating role of emotional intelligence

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of young children’s creativity on social competence through the mediating role of emotional intelligence. Methods/Statistical analysis: To do this study, Torrance’s creativity figure test, emotional intelligence checklist, and social competence scale were conducted on 76 children aged 4 years old in B city of Korea. For data analysis, correlation and regression analysis was conducted with creativity as an independent variable, emotional intelligence as a mediator variable, and social competence as a dependent variable. Mediation was tested through a three-step regression according to Baron & Kenny’s mediation analysis strategy. Findings: The result of this study indicates that there are correlated among the creativity, emotional intelligence and social competence. Creativity mediated by emotional intelligence, positively influenced social competence. Emotional intelligence plays a mediate role when creativity affects social activity, social participation/autonomy, and leadership of social competence. On the other hand, creativity did not affect social stability, cooperativeness, and conformity to social norms. Improvements/Applications: These results showed that we can promote social competence of creative young children through fostering emotional intelligence. Therefore it is necessary to develop and implement educational programs for enhancing emotional intelligence of creative young children.