Is the development of personality beliefs related to childhood traumas and emotional intelligence levels?: A prospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background In this study, it was aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between childhood traumas and emotional intelligence levels and personality beliefs. Methods University students who applied for a health board examination, did not have any psychiatric disease history, had childhood trauma (CT (+), 45.0%, n = 174) and had no childhood trauma (CT (-), 55.0%, n = 213) were included in the study. students participated. Sociodemographic data form and Childhood Trauma Scale, Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Scale and Personality Beliefs Scale were given to the participants. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS (ver.22.0, Chicago, II, USA) program. Results Of the students, 91.0% (n = 352) were male and 46.3% (n = 179) were in the 20–21 age group. Most of them were studying at the faculty of engineering. In those with CT (+), avoidant-personality beliefs, dependent-personality beliefs, passive-aggressive-personality beliefs, antisocial-personality beliefs, histrionic-personality beliefs, schizoid-personality beliefs, paranoid-personality beliefs and borderline-personality beliefs levels and intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, adaptability, stress management and general mood emotional intelligence levels were statistically significant compared to those with CT (-) degree was higher. A moderate, positive, statistically significant relationship was found between childhood trauma levels and personality beliefs and emotional intelligence levels, excluding obsessive-compulsive personality beliefs. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant relationship between obsessive-compulsive-personality beliefs and emotional intelligence levels in those with childhood traumas. Conclusion Childhood traumas, which can be effective in personality development, may contribute to the development of different components of emotional intelligence and different personality beliefs. Different dimensions of emotional intelligence can also be effective in the emergence of personality beliefs. We would like to emphasize that childhood traumas and emotional intelligence levels are not related to the emergence of obsessive-compulsive beliefs.