Emotional Intelligence and Coping Styles among University Students with Childhood Abuse Experiences

Abstract

Exposure to abuse in childhood leaves continuing effects on the individual's character. These effects appear in the individual's inner feelings and his/her response to situations. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating the differences between the high and low levels of childhood abuse experiences in the emotional intelligence, arrangement of the abuse experiences, coping styles, and the relationship between them among students with childhood abuse experiences. Moreover, the present study aimed at identifying the predictability of coping styles in light of emotional intelligence. Tools of the study included the Emotional Intelligence Scale )prepared by Al Khouly, 2002(, Coping Styles Scale )prepared by the researcher(, and the Scale of Childhood Abuse Experiences )prepared by Mukhaimar & Abdel-Razek, 2011(. Participants were 140 university students )males and females(. Findings revealed that there were differences among normal students and those with childhood abuse experiences in emotional intelligence. Also, there was a relationship between emotional intelligence and coping styles among the students with childhood abuse experiences. In addition, psychological abuse and negative coping styles were most frequently used by students with childhood abuse experiences. Furthermore, it was possible to predict the coping styles in light of the emotional intelligence. Finally, the researcher presented some suggestions and recommendations which showed the scientific and practical significance of the current study in higher education.