A Cross-Sectional Study on the Effect of Adverse Childhood Events and Perception Toward Parents on Emotional Intelligence

Objective: Emotional intelligence describes how well an individual understands and manages his or her emotions. Parenting styles and early life events have an important bearing on emotional intelligence. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of adverse childhood events and perception toward parents on the various domains of emotional intelligence among medical interns.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among medical interns in an eastern Indian teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Quick Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment in terms of emotional awareness, emotional management, social emotional management, and relationship management. Adverse childhood experiences were assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Perception toward parents for all participants was assessed using the Perceptions of Parents Scale, which measured their mother's involvement, autonomy and support, and warmth and their father's involvement, autonomy and support, and warmth.

Results: Of the 84 participants, 66.66% (n = 56) reported at least 1 adverse childhood experience. There was a significant negative correlation of adverse childhood experiences with emotional management (r = -0.542, n = 84, P = .00) and relationship management (r = -0.219, n = 84, P = .45). Emotional management showed a positive correlation with mother's involvement (r = 0.269, P = .013), autonomy and support (r = 0.34, P = .02), and warmth (r = 0.264, P = .015) and father's involvement (r = 0.336, P = .002), autonomy and support (r = 0.334, P = .002), and warmth (r = 0.340, P = .002). Relationship management showed a positive correlation with mother's involvement (r = 0.302, P = .005), autonomy and support (r = 0.272, P = .012), and warmth (r = 0.272, P = .012). Social emotional management showed a positive correlation with father's involvement (r = 0.294, P = .007), autonomy and support (r = 0.297, P = .006), and warmth (r = 0.297, P = .01).

Conclusion: Experiencing adverse childhood events lowers emotional intelligence. Higher parental involvement, warmth, and autonomy and support promote better social emotional awareness, as well as emotional and relationship management.