Attachment Styles and Emotional Intelligence of Orphan and Non-Orphan Adolescents

Abstract

The study aims to identify the differences in emotional intelligence and attachment styles between orphan and non-orphan adolescents. A qualitative method has been used to analyze the data. The sample comprised a total of 60 adolescents, of which 30 orphans and 30 nonorphan adolescents aged 13 to 19, were selected from different orphanages and schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The unstructured interview was used to determine the differences in attachment styles and emotional intelligence of both groups of adolescents. The findings showed that there are differences in emotional intelligence and attachment styles among orphans and non-orphans, with orphans showing a low level of emotional intelligence and an insecure attachment style and non-orphans showing a high level of emotional intelligence and a secure attachment style when we compared both groups.

Keywords- Attachment Styles, Emotional Intelligence, Orphan, Non-Orphan Adolescents