Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between dimensions of childhood trauma in predicting dimensions of emotional intelligence. The research method was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population included students of Islamic Azad University, Roudhen Branch, aged 20 and above, with no history of any neurological or psychiatric disorders, no acquired brain injury leading to a loss of consciousness for more than 1 minute, no substance abuse in the past 6 months (self-reported), and no history of neurological disorders (such as epilepsy), who were studying in the academic year 2021-2022. A total of 336 students were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (1998) (SSEIT) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (2003) (CTQ). Data analysis was conducted using multiple regression with SPSS-27 software. The results showed that emotional abuse was the strongest predictor of problems in students' emotional intelligence. In the dimensions of emotional intelligence, for emotion regulation, sexual abuse was the strongest predictor (β = -0.24, P < 0.001), and for emotion assessment and utilization of emotions, emotional abuse was the strongest predictor (β = -0.36, P < 0.001 and β = -0.26, P < 0.001, respectively). Consequently, it can be concluded that childhood trauma affects emotional intelligence capabilities. Therefore, it is suggested that therapists can play a significant role in reducing the negative impacts of childhood trauma by enhancing emotional intelligence skills.
Keywords: Childhood trauma, Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Abuse
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