The Relationship Between Traumatic Stress, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Growth

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between emotional intelligence and posttraumatic growth. It was hypothesized that emotional intelligence increases after a traumatic event, similarly to the way that posttraumatic growth occurs, and that the level of emotional intelligence at the time of the traumatic event influences subsequent growth. It was also hypothesized that posttraumatic growth is correlated with increases in emotional intelligence. Only individuals with low levels of emotional intelligence at the time of the traumatic event showed an increase in emotional intelligence in the aftermath of the event. A moderate correlation was found between posttraumatic growth and emotional intelligence.