Validation of the Chinese version of the Emotion Awareness Questionnaire for use with adolescents

We tested the validity and reliability of the Emotion Awareness Questionnaire (EAQ), and examined the correlation between emotional awareness and social anxiety with three samples of Chinese adolescent students. In Sample 1 (n = 724) we used exploratory factor analysis to determine the scale’s construct validity, finding that the 26-item, six-factor measure had high accuracy, and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit to the data. Sample 2 (n = 464) results show that the EAQ had good psychometric properties, and its concurrent validity was confirmed with the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form as a criterion. Sample 3 (n = 216) results show that emotional awareness was significantly and negatively correlated with social anxiety. Cronbach’s alpha internal consistencies in the three samples were .71, .74, and .73, respectively. The revised scale was determined to be reliable for examining emotional awareness among Chinese adolescents as well as the correlation between emotional awareness and social anxiety in this population.