Development and psychometric validation of an emotional intelligence scale for elementary school students in Samarinda, Indonesia

Hamka (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Sandi Rahma Widiastuti (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur)
Berliany Ath Thahirah (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Reza Fahira (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Naila Heldawati (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Farah Salsa Febriana (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Arfan Gaffar Kamal (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Farida Rahayu (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)
Desti Purnamasari (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda)

Psikologia: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Penelitian Psikologi
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026): Psikologia: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Penelitian Psikologi

This study developed and evaluated an emotional intelligence scale for elementary school students using a quantitative design. We purposively sampled 206 students in grades 4–6 from Samarinda, Indonesia. To clarify, the process began with identifying emotional intelligence constructs, then formulating related indicators, and finally drafting initial scale items. Next, five experts reviewed the items to provide expert judgment. After incorporating feedback, we tested the instrument with the student participants. We assessed content validity with Aiken’s V, measured construct validity with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and evaluated reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. The model fit well (CFI = 0.936; TLI = 0.918; RMSEA = 0.069; SRMR = 0.068) and showed high reliability (α = 0.923). These results show the scale is valid, reliable, and suitable for educational use in assessing emotional intelligence in elementary students