Die verband tussen emosionele intelligensie en posttraumatiese stressimptome by kinders

English: South Africa is currently regarded as one of the most violent countries in the world, with crime statistics increasing daily. It is distressing that the youth is growing up in a country where little respect is shown for the physical integrity of its citizens. Therefore it is not uncommon for children to present with a variety of symptoms in their efforts to cope with these events. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of traumatized children’s level of emotional intelligence on the extent to which they present with symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Also to investigate the possible difference between boys and girls, as well as children of various ages, with regard to the posttraumatic stress symptoms that is reported. An availability sample of 70 traumatized children was involved in this study (non-experimental prospective design). All the children who were involved were between the ages of 10 and 12, therefore in the developmental stage of middle childhood and differed on the basis of their living conditions. Four measuring instruments were used in the investigation. This includes the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (Bar-On, 2000), the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (Briere, 1996), a biographical questionnaire and a posttraumatic stress checklist which is based on the DSM IV criteria. The internal consistency of the measuring instruments was investigated by making use of Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Pearson correlation coefficients were also calculated to determine the intercorrelation between the different variables. On the basis of the statistical analysis of the data, only one of the subscales of emotional intelligence, namely stress management, showed a significant relationship with posttraumatic stress symptoms. It seems that the better a child’s stress coping skills are, the lower the level of posttraumatic stress symptoms with which the child presents. General mood showed a positive correlation with interpersonal functioning, intrapersonal adjustment and adaptability. With regard to gender, it was indicated that girls reported more symptoms of posttraumatic stress than the boys did. Possible explanations for the results are given, and limitations and recommendations for further research are discussed.