Personality Type, Emotional Intelligence and Its Association with Adolescent Prosocial Behavior in Gondar city: the case of Angereb Secondary and Preparatory School.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess personality type, emotional intelligence, and its association with prosocial behavior in adolescents. A cross-sectional study design with a quantitative research approach was employed. About 371 randomly selected students were selected from Angereb secondary and preparatory schools in Gondar city. Questionnaires were distributed to these participants. About 366 valid questionnaires were collected. Pearson correlation, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression statistical analysis are used for inferential statistical analysis; the mean, standard deviation, and percentage are used for descriptive analysis. Emotional types of prosocial behavior were the most frequently observed, followed by anonymous types of prosocial behavior, while compliant types of prosocial behavior were rarely observed. A regression analysis result shows that emotional intelligence was found to be the strongest predictor of adolescent prosocial behavior, followed by age. A significant positive association was found between the study variables. The result further indicates a significant difference was found between males and females, urban and rural adolescents, across grade levels, in levels of religious rule respect and application, and in levels of academic achievement. Females were found to be more prosocial and scored higher on public, altruistic, dire, and emotional types of prosocial behavior. Rural adolescents were also found to be more prosocial than urban adolescents. As a whole, the result indicates personality type, emotional intelligence, and prosocial behavior were found to be positively associated with each other. Finally, based on the findings, the researcher recommends that all key stakeholders, including families, teachers, religious leaders, governmental and non-governmental organizations, should invest what they can to the growth and development of an innovative and responsible generation for the future by working more on their positive behavior.