Jennifer Kelly Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Derby. United Kingdom.
Helen Scott Department of Clinical Psychology, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent. United Kingdom.
Hannah Bryan South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust, Stafford. United Kingdom.
Email H.Scott@staffs.ac.uk (Corresponding Author: Dr Helen Scott).
http://dx.doi.org/10.61618/DNUZ2513
Abstract
Psychosocial factors operating during or after traumatic events are among the strongest predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder. Lower emotional intelligence has been linked to a range of mental health problems, but its role in psychological adaptation to trauma is unclear. This study evaluated trait emotional intelligence, coping style and social support as predictors of trauma symptomatology in 144 search and rescue volunteers. Emotional intelligence and social support were not associated with symptoms; the strongest predictor was maladaptive coping (R2 = 0.35). Despite limitations, this study raises questions about the utility of the emotional intelligence construct in predicting posttraumatic stress disorder.
Key words: Emotional intelligence, coping style, social support, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder