| This study explored the effects of emotional intelligence and perceived social support on the incidence of secondary traumatic stress in a sample of human service professionals. Previous research efforts suggested these factors were important for successful adjustment to primary trauma, but had not investigated their combined effect on secondary traumatic stress. Based on the similarity between primary and secondary traumatic stress and using a survey design and multivariate analysis, this study investigated relationships between emotional intelligence, social support, and secondary traumatic stress. Participants were 52 graduates of an associate degree program in human services, who responded to a prequalification letter. Participants completed mail-out survey packets containing measures of secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction, social support, emotional intelligence, and demographics. The results indicated that emotional intelligence was positively related to compassion satisfaction and social support, and negatively related to secondary traumatic stress. There was a combined negative relationship between emotional intelligence and social support on secondary traumatic stress. Additional research is needed with larger samples. The implications for human service practitioners and educators are discussed. |
