The BRIDGE Model: A Culturally Grounded Emotional Intelligence Framework for African and Collectivist Contexts

The dominance of Western, individualistic frameworks in emotional intelligence (EI) theory and practice presents a documented gap for individuals and organisations operating within African and other collectivist cultural contexts. Established models — most notably Goleman's (1995) mixed-model framework — were developed within and validated for culturally specific, individualistic contexts and have been criticised for their limited cross-cultural generalisability. This conceptual paper introduces The BRIDGE Model, a culturally grounded EI framework developed through practitioner-based research, coaching practice, and the integration of Ubuntu philosophy with established EI theory. The model comprises six dimensions: Bicultural Awareness, Relational Regulation, Integrated Motivation, Dual Empathy, Global-Local Stewardship, and Effective Integration. Each dimension is theoretically grounded in existing EI research, bicultural identity theory, Ubuntu philosophy, and self-determination theory. The BRIDGE Model addresses a gap in culturally responsive EI frameworks for African and collectivist contexts, offering a theoretical basis for coaching practice, organisational development, and digital EI intervention. Limitations of the current conceptual framing are acknowledged, and directions for empirical validation are proposed.