Examining the factor structure of the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory with an Australian general population sample

Abstract

It has been claimed that the dimensional structure of the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) (Bar-On,1997a) represents a hierarchical model of emotional and social intelligence describing a general factor,five-se cond order factors and 15 primary factors. However,there are several anomalies in the factor analytic methodology employed by Bar-On (1997a),and his interpretation of the results that render the dimensional structure of the EQ-i unclear. In contrast to claims by Bar-On,in the present study a series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses found evidence for a general factor of emotional intelligence and six primary factors. Differences between the results reported by Bar-On (1997a) and those of the current study are attributed largely to the more appropriate factor analytic methodology employed. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.