Factors Influencing Emotional Quotient in Children aged 3-5 years Non Sila District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional analytical research aimed at examining the factors affecting emotional quotient (EQ) in children aged 3-5 years in Non-Sila District, Khon Kaen Province. The study was conducted from June to September 2024. The sample consisted of 90 children aged 3-5 years and their caregivers, selected through multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, the Denver II Developmental Screening Test, and an emotional quotient assessment for children aged 3-5 years developed by the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. The results revealed that factors significantly associated with children’s EQ included the caregivers’ marital status (p-value= 0.017), income (p-value= 0.05), and child nutritional status (p-value = 0.01). Children with caregivers who earned less than 10,000 Baht per month were 6.51 times more likely to have lower EQ than those with caregivers earning more than 10,000 Baht per month (OR = 6.51, 95% CI: 0.79 to 53.0). The findings highlight that family support from a stable socioeconomic status can effectively foster EQ development in children. Efforts should be made to promote proper nutrition and strengthen family relationships to support EQ development in early childhood.