본 연구는 유치원에 재원 중인 5세 유아의 또래지위와 정서지능과의 관계에 대해 알아보았다. 유아들의 또래지위를 측정하기 위하여 또래평정법(Asher, Singleton, Tinsly, & Hymel, 1979)을 사용하였고, 정서지능을 측정하기 위하여 만 5세용 정서지능 체크리스트(이병래, 1997)를 사용하였다. 연구 결과 첫째, 유아의 또래지위에 따라 정서지능은 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다(p<.001). 둘째, 유아의 또래지위에 따라 정서지능의 하위 요소인 자기인식·표현능력은 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 셋째, 유아의 또래지위에 따라 정서지능의 하위 요소인 자기조절능력은 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다(p<.001). 넷째, 유아의 또래지위에 따라 정서지능의 하위 요소인 타인인식능력은 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다(p<.001). 다섯째, 유아의 또래지위에 따라 정서지능의 하위 요소인 타인조절/대인관계능력은 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다(p<.001).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between peer status and emotional intelligence of five-year-old kindergarteners.Results of this study were as follows:First, significant difference of young children's emotional intelligence was found according to their status(p<.001). Emotional intelligence was the highest in popular children, followed by average and nonpopular children(popular children: M=123.91, average children: M=117.72, nonpopular children: M=106.20).Second, young children's ability of self perception and expression showed no significant difference according to their peer status. Third, young children's ability of self regulation showed significant difference according to their peer status(p<.001). Ability of self regulation was the highest in popular children, followed by average and nonpopular children(popular children: M=30.96, average children: M=28.37, nonpopular children: M=24.25).Fourth, young children's ability of other perception showed significant difference according to their peer status(p<.001). Ability of other perception was the highest in popular children, followed by average and nonpopular children(popular children: M=28.59, average children: M=26.97, nonpopular children: M=23.94).Fifth, young children's ability of other regulation and interpersonal relations showed significant difference according to their peer status(p<.001). Ability of other regulation and interpersonal relations was the highest in popular children, followed by average and nonpopular children(popular children: M=36.47, average children: M=34.59, nonpopular children: M=31.36).

• 조향희(포항 유강유치원 교사) | Cho, Hyang-Hee