Fostering emotional intelligence and intergroup empathy: an intervention program for Jewish and Arab adolescents

ABSTRACT

The current study examined a unique uninational intervention program, conducted separately for Jewish and Arab adolescents, with the aim of cultivating emotional intelligence skills and empathy. 287 adolescents aged 16–17 (115 Jews and 172 Arabs) participated in the program and the study to assess its initial effects. All participants completed self-administered questionnaires; the researcher conducted observations and focus groups. For the Arab participants, the findings showed an improvement in emotional intelligence, empathy towards Arabs and Jews, and relationships with Israeli Jews. Among the Jewish participants, although no statistically significant change in emotional intelligence was observed, there were positive changes in empathy, as well as relationships with Israeli Arabs. The degree of improvement was stronger among Arab participants.

KEYWORDS:

• Emotional intelligence
• intergroup empathy
• an intervention program
• adolescents
• Jewish and Arab

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).