ROLE OF DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS ON EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND VICARIOUS TRAUMA AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals in trauma and emergency departments are at high risk of vicarious trauma due to continuous exposure to life-threatening situations and human suffering. Emotional intelligence (EI) and coping strategies have been shown to buffer these effects. However, the role of demographic factors, specifically gender (male vs. female) and healthcare sector (government vs. private), remains underexplored in Pakistan. Aim: The objective of present study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, coping strategies, and vicarious trauma among healthcare professionals working in trauma emergency settings. In line with the study objectives, demographic comparisons were made across gender, profession and employment sector. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with purposive sampling techniques on the sample of (N = 200) healthcare workers. Participants completed the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10; α = .86), the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (α = .76), and the Brief COPE Inventory (α = .81). Results: The sample consisted of slightly more females (51%) than males (49%). The analysis revealed a significant gender difference on vicarious trauma, males reported higher levels of vicarious trauma than females and no significant gender differences were observed for emotional intelligence and coping strategies. Furthermore, doctors scored significantly higher on emotional intelligence as compared to nurses whereas nurses scored significantly higher on vicarious trauma as compared to doctors and no significant difference was observed in coping strategies. Additionally, Participants from public sector scored higher on Emotional Intelligence as compared to private sector whereas participants from private sector scored higher on vicarious trauma and coping strategies as compared to participants from public sector. Conclusion: Demographic variations reveal that males and government-sector professionals are more vulnerable, underscoring the need for targeted, gender-sensitive, and sector-specific interventions.