Talking, Adapting, and Feeling: How Family Functioning Shapes Adolescents’ Emotional Intelligence in Kenya

Background: Family functioning plays a central role in shaping adolescents’ emotional intelligence (EI), which is critical for their social adjustment, academic performance, and overall well-being. Globally, research demonstrates that open communication and adaptability within families foster the development of emotional competencies. In Africa, where adolescents often face contextual stressors such as economic hardship and cultural transitions, family support is especially vital. In Kenya, limited empirical evidence exists on how specific family dynamics contribute to EI among secondary school learners. Objective: This study assessed the influence of family communication on emotional regulation and examined how family adaptability affects empathy among learners in public secondary schools. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed among adolescents enrolled in public secondary schools. A total sample of 311 participants was selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV). Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression techniques to determine the predictive role of family communication and adaptability on emotional intelligence dimensions. Results: Findings revealed that family communication was a significant predictor of emotional regulation, while family adaptability strongly influenced empathy. Together, these aspects of family functioning explained a substantial proportion of variance in adolescents’ EI scores. Conclusion: Family functioning, particularly communication and adaptability, is central to the development of adolescents’ emotional intelligence. These results highlight the importance of strengthening family-based interventions, promoting parental involvement, and integrating socio-emotional learning into school programs. Policymakers and educators should prioritize initiatives that enhance family resilience and support adolescents’ emotional development.