EFFECT OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ON EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI) AND SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE (SI)

Abstract

The current study investigates the significant influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on emotional intelligence (EI) and spiritual intelligence (SI), which are essential aspects of human functioning that greatly contribute to overall well-being. Adverse childhood experiences refer to a variety of potentially traumatic events or hardships that individuals may face throughout their early years, such as abuse, neglect, dysfunction in the household, and other sources of stress. Adverse Childhood Experiences can hamper the development of emotional intelligence by negatively affecting key components such as empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. This, in turn, impairs individuals' capacity to manage relationships and effectively cope with stressors. Moreover, ACEs have an impact on spiritual intelligence as well, hindering people's ability to transcend, create meaning, and find existential contentment. A person's sense of resilience, purpose, and connection can all be disrupted by childhood trauma, which can cause spiritual pain and existential angst. This dissertation sheds insight on the long-lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence. Through the clarification of these connections, it emphasizes the value of trauma-informed strategies for people who faced adverse effects in their childhood and the demand for interventions that foster recovery, growth, and resilience.