Translation and Cross-cultural Adaptation of Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale-short Form (TEIQue-SF) Into Sinhala

Abstract

Despite emotional intelligence (EI) being recognized as important in all areas of a person’s life, measuring the emotional aspects of most Sri Lankans remains challenging due to the lack of suitable psychometric assessments. The current study translated and carried out the cross-cultural adaptation of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale- Short Form into Sinhala. Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale-Short Form has been recognized as a valid and reliable instrument to measure emotional intelligence. The tool was translated by a bilingual, licensed clinical psychologist, incorporating the World Health Organization guidelines for translating and adapting instruments. The translation was evaluated and modified by an expert panel. The second panel rated the translation for content validity. The comprehension test was done with 15 participants who belonged to different educational backgrounds. The back translation was carried out by a professional translator. The adaptation was completed in consultation with the original author of the scale. The majority of the items received a Content Validity Index score of one (01). The comprehension test results indicated that the translated Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale-Short Form was easily understood by Sinhala speakers with an average education. Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale-Short form can be validated for Sinhala speakers of Sri Lanka by future researchers.