Emotional Competence of Adolescents from Underprivileged Socio-Economic Background

Abstract

Although underprivileged groups are considered at disadvantage for capital, facilities, and utilities; very few Indian studies have made an attempt to study emotional competence as an outcome of residing in poor geographic location. The purpose of study is to understand emotional competence in adolescents of lower socio economic background. This is achieved by exploring emotional aspects of personality, emotional triggers, skills to regulate emotions and coping mechanisms. Semi-structured interviews as part of body map, a qualitative tool was carried out with six adolescents from underprivileged background. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze transcripts along with body maps of participants. Overall, research findings reveal that location does effect emotional competence in adolescents. Further, emotional competence is not age appropriate suggesting clinical implications for adolescents from underprivileged background.