INTELLIGENCE, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND HOPE AMONG INSTITUTIONALIZED ORPHANS AND CHILDREN LIVING WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS

Abstract

Intelligence, emotional intelligence and hope are essential psychological variables for a growing individual to deal with the many challenges of life. This study was conducted to find whether there is any difference between intelligence, emotional intelligence and hope among children living with parents and orphans. The objectives of this study was to identify sensitive areas of psycho social adjustment and suggest appropriate corrective measures in the holistic development of children and to evaluate the quality of parenting and health and mental health services provided to the youth in terms of assessed psychological variables. The sample includes 60 children (boys, 30 from orphanages and 30 living with parents) from a rural area in Ernakulum who comes between 12 to 18 years of age. Children living with both parents were drawn from different schools and orphan children were drawn from different orphanages in Ernakulum district. The study proved that children living with parents in a family atmosphere show greater intelligence, emotional intelligence and hope when compared with orphans.